1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:08,369:
You’re 2 00:00:08,369 --> 00:00:08,820: listening 3 00:00:08,820 --> 00:00:08,939: to 4 00:00:08,939 --> 00:00:09,060: The 5 00:00:09,060 --> 00:00:09,480: Voice 6 00:00:09,480 --> 00:00:09,630: of 7 00:00:09,630 --> 00:00:10,800: Dog. 8 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:11,039: This 9 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:11,189: is 10 00:00:11,189 --> 00:00:11,490: Rob 11 00:00:11,490 --> 00:00:12,000: MacWolf, 12 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:12,210: your 13 00:00:12,210 --> 00:00:12,539: fellow 14 00:00:12,539 --> 00:00:13,470: traveller, 15 00:00:13,470 --> 00:00:13,586: and 16 00:00:13,586 --> 00:00:13,980: Today’s 17 00:00:13,980 --> 00:00:14,429: story 18 00:00:14,429 --> 00:00:15,330: is “The 19 00:00:15,330 --> 00:00:17,100: Dragonslayer’s Quest” 20 00:00:17,100 --> 00:00:17,730: by Ryx, 21 00:00:17,730 --> 00:00:22,079: who also goes by Nachtfangen, who once wrote prolifically 22 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:22,289: but 23 00:00:22,289 --> 00:00:22,500: now 24 00:00:22,500 --> 00:00:22,890: needs 25 00:00:22,890 --> 00:00:22,949: a 26 00:00:22,949 --> 00:00:23,100: new 27 00:00:23,100 --> 00:00:23,640: starter, 28 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:24,089: battery, 29 00:00:24,089 --> 00:00:24,210: and 30 00:00:24,210 --> 00:00:24,600: engine 31 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:24,719: to 32 00:00:24,719 --> 00:00:24,870: get 33 00:00:24,870 --> 00:00:25,199: his 34 00:00:25,199 --> 00:00:25,440: words 35 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:25,800: rolling 36 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:27,179: again. 37 00:00:27,179 --> 00:00:27,539: As 38 00:00:27,539 --> 00:00:27,839: Ryx 39 00:00:27,839 --> 00:00:27,960: he 40 00:00:27,960 --> 00:00:28,170: helped 41 00:00:28,170 --> 00:00:28,800: spawn the 42 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:29,219: Metamor 43 00:00:29,219 --> 00:00:29,550: Keep 44 00:00:29,550 --> 00:00:30,600: story setting 45 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:30,809: which 46 00:00:30,809 --> 00:00:30,870: is 47 00:00:30,870 --> 00:00:31,109: still 48 00:00:31,109 --> 00:00:31,710: going after 49 00:00:31,710 --> 00:00:32,130: almost 25 50 00:00:32,130 --> 00:00:35,490: years. As Nachfangen 51 00:00:35,490 --> 00:00:35,640: he 52 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:37,439: tries. 53 00:00:37,439 --> 00:00:37,619: His 54 00:00:37,619 --> 00:00:38,039: stories 55 00:00:38,039 --> 00:00:38,189: can 56 00:00:38,189 --> 00:00:38,280: be 57 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:38,640: found 58 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:38,759: on 59 00:00:38,759 --> 00:00:39,719: Sofurry 60 00:00:39,719 --> 00:00:46,890: under the user name Nachtfangen.

Read by Rhubarb, Feathered Starfarer.

Please 61 00:00:46,890 --> 00:00:48,810: enjoy

The 62 00:00:48,810 --> 00:00:49,829: Dragonslayer’s 63 00:00:49,829 --> 00:00:51,270: Quest, 64 00:00:51,270 --> 00:00:51,450: by 65 00:00:51,450 --> 00:00:57,659: Ryx
The 66 00:00:57,659 --> 00:00:57,990: high 67 00:00:57,990 --> 00:00:58,439: mountain 68 00:00:58,439 --> 00:00:58,950: forest 69 00:00:58,950 --> 00:00:59,130: was 70 00:00:59,130 --> 00:00:59,670: lush 71 00:00:59,670 --> 00:00:59,820: and 72 00:00:59,820 --> 00:01:00,420: green, 73 00:01:00,420 --> 00:01:00,630: the 74 00:01:00,630 --> 00:01:01,079: day 75 00:01:01,079 --> 00:01:01,679: cool 76 00:01:01,679 --> 00:01:01,890: and 77 00:01:01,890 --> 00:01:02,969: bright. 78 00:01:02,969 --> 00:01:03,359: Puffy 79 00:01:03,359 --> 00:01:03,750: fair 80 00:01:03,750 --> 00:01:04,049: weather 81 00:01:04,049 --> 00:01:04,590: clouds 82 00:01:04,590 --> 00:01:04,980: dotted 83 00:01:04,980 --> 00:01:05,099: the 84 00:01:05,099 --> 00:01:05,489: sky 85 00:01:05,489 --> 00:01:05,760: like 86 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:06,030: errant 87 00:01:06,030 --> 00:01:07,019: sheep. 88 00:01:07,019 --> 00:01:07,260: Through 89 00:01:07,260 --> 00:01:07,920: shadows 90 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:08,069: and 91 00:01:08,069 --> 00:01:08,459: bright 92 00:01:08,459 --> 00:01:09,150: splashes 93 00:01:09,150 --> 00:01:09,299: of 94 00:01:09,299 --> 00:01:09,780: dappled 95 00:01:09,780 --> 00:01:10,319: sunlight 96 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:10,560: rode 97 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:10,680: a 98 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:11,189: very 99 00:01:11,189 --> 00:01:11,670: curious 100 00:01:11,670 --> 00:01:12,659: sight. 101 00:01:12,659 --> 00:01:12,750: A 102 00:01:12,750 --> 00:01:13,140: man 103 00:01:13,140 --> 00:01:13,469: on 104 00:01:13,469 --> 00:01:13,950: horseback 105 00:01:13,950 --> 00:01:14,129: was 106 00:01:14,129 --> 00:01:14,519: not, 107 00:01:14,519 --> 00:01:14,700: of 108 00:01:14,700 --> 00:01:15,299: itself, 109 00:01:15,299 --> 00:01:16,170: particularly 110 00:01:16,170 --> 00:01:16,680: curious 111 00:01:16,680 --> 00:01:16,799: to 112 00:01:16,799 --> 00:01:17,310: find 113 00:01:17,310 --> 00:01:17,489: but 114 00:01:17,489 --> 00:01:18,000: a knight 115 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:18,329: riding 116 00:01:18,329 --> 00:01:19,079: alone 117 00:01:19,079 --> 00:01:19,650: without 118 00:01:19,650 --> 00:01:20,189: retinue 119 00:01:20,189 --> 00:01:20,340: it 120 00:01:20,340 --> 00:01:21,120: was, 121 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:21,450: even 122 00:01:21,450 --> 00:01:22,379: then, 123 00:01:22,379 --> 00:01:22,650: not 124 00:01:22,650 --> 00:01:23,400: particularly 125 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:24,780: curious.
But 126 00:01:24,780 --> 00:01:25,290: a knight 127 00:01:25,290 --> 00:01:25,859: bedecked 128 00:01:25,859 --> 00:01:26,040: in 129 00:01:26,040 --> 00:01:26,370: all 130 00:01:26,370 --> 00:01:26,459: the 131 00:01:26,459 --> 00:01:26,760: hues 132 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:26,849: of 133 00:01:26,849 --> 00:01:26,939: the 134 00:01:26,939 --> 00:01:27,390: rainbow 135 00:01:27,390 --> 00:01:27,599: was 136 00:01:27,599 --> 00:01:27,959: most 137 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:28,650: certainly 138 00:01:28,650 --> 00:01:29,310: curious 139 00:01:29,310 --> 00:01:30,420: indeed. 140 00:01:30,420 --> 00:01:30,569: The 141 00:01:30,569 --> 00:01:31,088: mounted 142 00:01:31,088 --> 00:01:31,439: knight’s 143 00:01:31,439 --> 00:01:31,769: armor 144 00:01:31,769 --> 00:01:31,920: was 145 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:32,069: a 146 00:01:32,069 --> 00:01:32,640: garish 147 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:33,180: mixture 148 00:01:33,180 --> 00:01:35,640: of brilliant hues. His couriasse was a 149 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:36,269: vibrant 150 00:01:36,269 --> 00:01:36,569: red 151 00:01:36,569 --> 00:01:36,780: that 152 00:01:36,780 --> 00:01:37,200: drank 153 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:37,319: in 154 00:01:37,319 --> 00:01:37,409: the 155 00:01:37,409 --> 00:01:37,890: light 156 00:01:37,890 --> 00:01:38,459: without 157 00:01:38,459 --> 00:01:38,939: offering 158 00:01:38,939 --> 00:01:39,030: a 159 00:01:39,030 --> 00:01:39,810: gleam 160 00:01:39,810 --> 00:01:40,019: of 161 00:01:40,019 --> 00:01:40,560: polished 162 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:40,890: metal 163 00:01:40,890 --> 00:01:41,010: in 164 00:01:41,010 --> 00:01:42,359: return. 165 00:01:42,359 --> 00:01:42,599: His 166 00:01:42,599 --> 00:01:43,230: pauldrons 167 00:01:43,230 --> 00:01:43,319: a 168 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:43,739: deep 169 00:01:43,739 --> 00:01:44,370: indigo, 170 00:01:44,370 --> 00:01:44,909: greaves 171 00:01:44,909 --> 00:01:45,000: and 172 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:45,719: sabatons 173 00:01:45,719 --> 00:01:46,620: blue, 174 00:01:46,620 --> 00:01:47,430: vambraces 175 00:01:47,430 --> 00:01:47,579: and 176 00:01:47,579 --> 00:01:48,060: gauntlets 177 00:01:48,060 --> 00:01:48,120: a 178 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:48,840: silvery 179 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:50,129: white. 180 00:01:50,129 --> 00:01:50,430: Many 181 00:01:50,430 --> 00:01:50,489: of 182 00:01:50,489 --> 00:01:50,579: the 183 00:01:50,579 --> 00:01:51,030: smaller 184 00:01:51,030 --> 00:01:51,540: components 185 00:01:51,540 --> 00:01:51,659: that 186 00:01:51,659 --> 00:01:51,870: made 187 00:01:51,870 --> 00:01:51,959: up 188 00:01:51,959 --> 00:01:52,109: his 189 00:01:52,109 --> 00:01:52,409: plate 190 00:01:52,409 --> 00:01:52,530: were 191 00:01:52,530 --> 00:01:52,650: of 192 00:01:52,650 --> 00:01:52,950: different 193 00:01:52,950 --> 00:01:53,159: hues 194 00:01:53,159 --> 00:01:53,280: as 195 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:53,909: well 196 00:01:53,909 --> 00:01:54,090: though 197 00:01:54,090 --> 00:01:54,510: not 198 00:01:54,510 --> 00:01:54,780: so 199 00:01:54,780 --> 00:01:55,290: garish 200 00:01:55,290 --> 00:01:55,409: as 201 00:01:55,409 --> 00:01:55,560: the 202 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:55,769: outer 203 00:01:55,769 --> 00:01:56,459: shell. 204 00:01:56,459 --> 00:01:56,700: His 205 00:01:56,700 --> 00:01:57,093: helm and 206 00:01:57,093 --> 00:01:57,180: the 207 00:01:57,180 --> 00:01:57,719: gambeson 208 00:01:57,719 --> 00:01:57,870: were 209 00:01:57,870 --> 00:01:58,170: both 210 00:01:58,170 --> 00:01:58,379: an 211 00:01:58,379 --> 00:01:59,069: unrelieved 212 00:01:59,069 --> 00:01:59,519: black 213 00:01:59,519 --> 00:01:59,640: to 214 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:00,060: match 215 00:02:00,060 --> 00:02:00,239: his 216 00:02:00,239 --> 00:02:00,599: night 217 00:02:00,599 --> 00:02:00,930: black 218 00:02:00,930 --> 00:02:01,709: steed 219 00:02:01,709 --> 00:02:01,858: though 220 00:02:01,858 --> 00:02:02,189: without 221 00:02:02,189 --> 00:02:02,280: its 222 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:03,060: gloss. 223 00:02:03,060 --> 00:02:03,209: At 224 00:02:03,209 --> 00:02:03,299: the 225 00:02:03,299 --> 00:02:03,569: right 226 00:02:03,569 --> 00:02:03,659: of 227 00:02:03,659 --> 00:02:03,840: his 228 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:04,109: high 229 00:02:04,109 --> 00:02:04,650: saddle 230 00:02:04,650 --> 00:02:05,069: hung 231 00:02:05,069 --> 00:02:05,219: a 232 00:02:05,219 --> 00:02:05,670: great 233 00:02:05,670 --> 00:02:06,239: sword 234 00:02:06,239 --> 00:02:06,390: in 235 00:02:06,390 --> 00:02:06,480: a 236 00:02:06,480 --> 00:02:06,959: purple 237 00:02:06,959 --> 00:02:07,769: scabbard 238 00:02:07,769 --> 00:02:07,920: and 239 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:07,980: a 240 00:02:07,980 --> 00:02:08,550: large 241 00:02:08,550 --> 00:02:08,849: kite 242 00:02:08,849 --> 00:02:09,210: shield 243 00:02:09,210 --> 00:02:09,300: of 244 00:02:09,300 --> 00:02:09,750: similar 245 00:02:09,750 --> 00:02:10,199: hue 246 00:02:10,199 --> 00:02:10,590: hung 247 00:02:10,590 --> 00:02:10,830: at 248 00:02:10,830 --> 00:02:10,979: his 249 00:02:10,979 --> 00:02:11,400: opposite 250 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:12,509: side.
In 251 00:02:12,509 --> 00:02:13,439: contrast, 252 00:02:13,439 --> 00:02:13,560: the 253 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:13,927: saddle 254 00:02:13,927 --> 00:02:14,069: and 255 00:02:14,069 --> 00:02:14,460: barding 256 00:02:14,460 --> 00:02:14,550: of 257 00:02:14,550 --> 00:02:14,639: the 258 00:02:14,639 --> 00:02:15,122: muscular 259 00:02:15,122 --> 00:02:15,689: destrier 260 00:02:15,689 --> 00:02:16,259: was 261 00:02:16,259 --> 00:02:16,349: a 262 00:02:16,349 --> 00:02:16,800: much 263 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:17,250: less 264 00:02:17,250 --> 00:02:18,120: ostentatious 265 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:18,599: affair 266 00:02:18,599 --> 00:02:18,840: in 267 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:19,289: basic 268 00:02:19,289 --> 00:02:19,770: browns 269 00:02:19,770 --> 00:02:20,009: with 270 00:02:20,009 --> 00:02:20,370: little 271 00:02:20,370 --> 00:02:21,449: decoration, 272 00:02:21,449 --> 00:02:21,810: even 273 00:02:21,810 --> 00:02:21,870: the 274 00:02:21,870 --> 00:02:22,319: standard 275 00:02:22,319 --> 00:02:22,500: cup 276 00:02:22,500 --> 00:02:22,680: was 277 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:23,099: empty 278 00:02:23,099 --> 00:02:23,699: revealing 279 00:02:23,699 --> 00:02:24,210: he rode 280 00:02:24,210 --> 00:02:24,419: for 281 00:02:24,419 --> 00:02:24,780: no 282 00:02:24,780 --> 00:02:25,199: lord 283 00:02:25,199 --> 00:02:25,319: or 284 00:02:25,319 --> 00:02:26,580: land.
He 285 00:02:26,580 --> 00:02:26,819: rode 286 00:02:26,819 --> 00:02:27,300: alone 287 00:02:27,300 --> 00:02:27,389: in 288 00:02:27,389 --> 00:02:27,479: the alpine 289 00:02:27,479 --> 00:02:28,229: forest, 290 00:02:28,229 --> 00:02:28,919: confident 291 00:02:28,919 --> 00:02:29,219: none 292 00:02:29,219 --> 00:02:29,370: would 293 00:02:29,370 --> 00:02:29,849: challenge 294 00:02:29,849 --> 00:02:30,060: him 295 00:02:30,060 --> 00:02:30,330: for 296 00:02:30,330 --> 00:02:30,780: he 297 00:02:30,780 --> 00:02:30,960: was 298 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:31,050: a 299 00:02:31,050 --> 00:02:31,919: well armed 300 00:02:31,919 --> 00:02:32,460: rainbow, 301 00:02:32,460 --> 00:02:34,135: indeed.
High Knight 302 00:02:34,135 --> 00:02:34,259: of 303 00:02:34,259 --> 00:02:34,620: three 304 00:02:34,620 --> 00:02:34,919: different 305 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:35,370: orders 306 00:02:35,370 --> 00:02:35,580: and 307 00:02:35,580 --> 00:02:36,419: association 308 00:02:36,419 --> 00:02:36,539: of 309 00:02:36,539 --> 00:02:36,629: a 310 00:02:36,629 --> 00:02:36,930: couple 311 00:02:36,930 --> 00:02:37,259: dozen 312 00:02:37,259 --> 00:02:37,979: others, 313 00:02:37,979 --> 00:02:38,400: Grand 314 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:38,939: Marshal, 315 00:02:38,939 --> 00:02:39,449: commoner 316 00:02:39,449 --> 00:02:39,629: by 317 00:02:39,629 --> 00:02:40,110: birth 318 00:02:40,110 --> 00:02:40,319: and 319 00:02:40,319 --> 00:02:40,770: royal 320 00:02:40,770 --> 00:02:40,949: by 321 00:02:40,949 --> 00:02:41,550: station 322 00:02:41,550 --> 00:02:42,449: and deed, 323 00:02:42,449 --> 00:02:42,990: Jarl 324 00:02:42,990 --> 00:02:45,960: of Duer Ghaoth, Duke of Tyrn Al’Chagel Bar, 325 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:46,139: and 326 00:02:46,139 --> 00:02:46,680: presumptive 327 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:46,889: heir 328 00:02:46,889 --> 00:02:47,009: to 329 00:02:47,009 --> 00:02:47,129: the 330 00:02:47,129 --> 00:02:47,430: throne 331 00:02:47,430 --> 00:02:47,520: of 332 00:02:47,520 --> 00:02:48,479: Amyre, 333 00:02:48,479 --> 00:02:48,900: Dragon 334 00:02:48,900 --> 00:02:49,379: Slayer 335 00:02:49,379 --> 00:02:49,919: Dirsche 336 00:02:49,919 --> 00:02:50,729: Swinson 337 00:02:50,729 --> 00:02:51,360: admired 338 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:51,479: the 339 00:02:51,479 --> 00:02:53,250: day.
It 340 00:02:53,250 --> 00:02:53,490: was 341 00:02:53,490 --> 00:02:53,909: just 342 00:02:53,909 --> 00:02:54,150: cool 343 00:02:54,150 --> 00:02:54,689: enough 344 00:02:54,689 --> 00:02:55,020: not 345 00:02:55,020 --> 00:02:55,110: to 346 00:02:55,110 --> 00:02:55,560: swelter 347 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:55,919: within 348 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:56,189: his 349 00:02:56,189 --> 00:02:57,090: dragonhide 350 00:02:57,090 --> 00:02:57,870: armor, 351 00:02:57,870 --> 00:02:57,990: a 352 00:02:57,990 --> 00:02:58,560: blessing 353 00:02:58,560 --> 00:02:58,919: worth 354 00:02:58,919 --> 00:02:59,159: his 355 00:02:59,159 --> 00:02:59,610: mount’s 356 00:02:59,610 --> 00:02:59,969: weight 357 00:02:59,969 --> 00:03:00,090: in 358 00:03:00,090 --> 00:03:00,629: silver, 359 00:03:00,629 --> 00:03:00,780: he 360 00:03:00,780 --> 00:03:00,960: would 361 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:01,949: admit. 362 00:03:01,949 --> 00:03:02,069: The 363 00:03:02,069 --> 00:03:02,550: sky 364 00:03:02,550 --> 00:03:02,759: was 365 00:03:02,759 --> 00:03:02,819: a 366 00:03:02,819 --> 00:03:03,389: vibrant 367 00:03:03,389 --> 00:03:03,810: blue 368 00:03:03,810 --> 00:03:03,930: and 369 00:03:03,930 --> 00:03:04,050: the 370 00:03:04,050 --> 00:03:04,590: breeze 371 00:03:04,590 --> 00:03:05,370: refreshingly 372 00:03:05,370 --> 00:03:05,819: crisp 373 00:03:05,819 --> 00:03:06,030: through 374 00:03:06,030 --> 00:03:06,120: the 375 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:06,569: visor 376 00:03:06,569 --> 00:03:06,900: slit 377 00:03:06,900 --> 00:03:06,990: of 378 00:03:06,990 --> 00:03:07,139: his 379 00:03:07,139 --> 00:03:08,189: helm. 380 00:03:08,189 --> 00:03:08,340: The 381 00:03:08,340 --> 00:03:08,951: mountain 382 00:03:08,951 --> 00:03:09,360: smelled 383 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:09,479: of 384 00:03:09,479 --> 00:03:10,229: green, 385 00:03:10,229 --> 00:03:10,710: rich 386 00:03:10,710 --> 00:03:11,370: earth, 387 00:03:11,370 --> 00:03:11,639: and 388 00:03:11,639 --> 00:03:12,569: pristine 389 00:03:12,569 --> 00:03:13,289: water, 390 00:03:13,289 --> 00:03:13,439: the 391 00:03:13,439 --> 00:03:14,099: forest 392 00:03:14,099 --> 00:03:14,909: unbroken 393 00:03:14,909 --> 00:03:15,120: for 394 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:16,500: leagues. 395 00:03:16,500 --> 00:03:16,620: There 396 00:03:16,620 --> 00:03:16,800: was 397 00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:17,129: neither 398 00:03:17,129 --> 00:03:17,789: homestead 399 00:03:17,789 --> 00:03:18,090: nor 400 00:03:18,090 --> 00:03:18,479: town 401 00:03:18,479 --> 00:03:18,750: within 402 00:03:18,750 --> 00:03:18,780: a 403 00:03:18,780 --> 00:03:19,110: half 404 00:03:19,110 --> 00:03:19,379: day’s 405 00:03:19,379 --> 00:03:19,800: walk 406 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:20,250: allowing 407 00:03:20,250 --> 00:03:20,460: him 408 00:03:20,460 --> 00:03:20,819: much 409 00:03:20,819 --> 00:03:21,389: enjoyed 410 00:03:21,389 --> 00:03:21,719: peace 411 00:03:21,719 --> 00:03:21,810: and 412 00:03:21,810 --> 00:03:23,939: solitude.
Quite 413 00:03:23,939 --> 00:03:24,240: too 414 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:24,539: good 415 00:03:24,539 --> 00:03:24,659: to 416 00:03:24,659 --> 00:03:24,840: be 417 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:24,990: out 418 00:03:24,990 --> 00:03:25,379: hunting 419 00:03:25,379 --> 00:03:25,590: yet 420 00:03:25,590 --> 00:03:25,949: another 421 00:03:25,949 --> 00:03:27,330: dragon.
He 422 00:03:27,330 --> 00:03:27,509: was 423 00:03:27,509 --> 00:03:27,840: alone 424 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:27,960: on 425 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:28,110: his 426 00:03:28,110 --> 00:03:28,500: hunt, 427 00:03:28,500 --> 00:03:28,740: as 428 00:03:28,740 --> 00:03:28,919: was 429 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:29,039: his 430 00:03:29,039 --> 00:03:29,789: wont, 431 00:03:29,789 --> 00:03:30,090: having 432 00:03:30,090 --> 00:03:30,599: lost 433 00:03:30,599 --> 00:03:30,750: his 434 00:03:30,750 --> 00:03:31,379: hangers' on 435 00:03:31,379 --> 00:03:31,710: long 436 00:03:31,710 --> 00:03:32,400: ago, 437 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:33,090: eschewing 438 00:03:33,090 --> 00:03:33,389: their 439 00:03:33,389 --> 00:03:34,020: servile 440 00:03:34,020 --> 00:03:34,650: pampering 441 00:03:34,650 --> 00:03:34,830: and 442 00:03:34,830 --> 00:03:35,370: whispering 443 00:03:35,370 --> 00:03:35,460: in 444 00:03:35,460 --> 00:03:35,610: his 445 00:03:35,610 --> 00:03:35,909: ear 446 00:03:35,909 --> 00:03:36,030: to 447 00:03:36,030 --> 00:03:36,389: further 448 00:03:36,389 --> 00:03:36,689: some 449 00:03:36,689 --> 00:03:37,289: political 450 00:03:37,289 --> 00:03:38,099: machination 451 00:03:38,099 --> 00:03:38,219: or 452 00:03:38,219 --> 00:03:38,879: another, 453 00:03:38,879 --> 00:03:39,180: all 454 00:03:39,180 --> 00:03:39,479: too 455 00:03:39,479 --> 00:03:39,930: often 456 00:03:39,930 --> 00:03:40,080: to 457 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:40,259: their 458 00:03:40,259 --> 00:03:40,469: own 459 00:03:40,469 --> 00:03:42,180: benefit.
Dirsche 460 00:03:42,180 --> 00:03:42,360: had 461 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:42,539: been 462 00:03:42,539 --> 00:03:42,960: raised 463 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:43,349: tending 464 00:03:43,349 --> 00:03:43,830: pigs, 465 00:03:43,830 --> 00:03:44,129: not 466 00:03:44,129 --> 00:03:45,330: princedoms, 467 00:03:45,330 --> 00:03:45,479: and 468 00:03:45,479 --> 00:03:46,020: preferred 469 00:03:46,020 --> 00:03:46,110: the 470 00:03:46,110 --> 00:03:46,590: simple 471 00:03:46,590 --> 00:03:46,830: life 472 00:03:46,830 --> 00:03:46,949: of 473 00:03:46,949 --> 00:03:46,979: a 474 00:03:46,979 --> 00:03:48,120: commoner. 475 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:48,330: He 476 00:03:48,330 --> 00:03:48,840: certainly 477 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:49,080: did 478 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:49,319: have 479 00:03:49,319 --> 00:03:49,469: his 480 00:03:49,469 --> 00:03:50,280: ideals, 481 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:50,550: and 482 00:03:50,550 --> 00:03:51,180: unvoiced 483 00:03:51,180 --> 00:03:51,659: political 484 00:03:51,659 --> 00:03:51,930: aims 485 00:03:51,930 --> 00:03:52,110: which 486 00:03:52,110 --> 00:03:52,560: seldom 487 00:03:52,560 --> 00:03:53,099: aligned 488 00:03:53,099 --> 00:03:53,219: to 489 00:03:53,219 --> 00:03:53,520: the 490 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:53,879: voices 491 00:03:53,879 --> 00:03:54,419: whispering 492 00:03:54,419 --> 00:03:54,539: in 493 00:03:54,539 --> 00:03:54,689: his 494 00:03:54,689 --> 00:03:55,590: ear. 495 00:03:55,590 --> 00:03:55,770: But 496 00:03:55,770 --> 00:03:55,830: it 497 00:03:55,830 --> 00:03:56,009: was 498 00:03:56,009 --> 00:03:56,340: not 499 00:03:56,340 --> 00:03:56,610: yet 500 00:03:56,610 --> 00:03:57,060: time 501 00:03:57,060 --> 00:03:57,210: to 502 00:03:57,210 --> 00:03:57,689: proclaim 503 00:03:57,689 --> 00:03:58,919: them.
That 504 00:03:58,919 --> 00:03:59,219: time 505 00:03:59,219 --> 00:03:59,400: would 506 00:03:59,400 --> 00:03:59,520: be 507 00:03:59,520 --> 00:03:59,909: coming, 508 00:03:59,909 --> 00:04:00,750: however, 509 00:04:00,750 --> 00:04:01,139: once 510 00:04:01,139 --> 00:04:01,259: he 511 00:04:01,259 --> 00:04:01,770: completed 512 00:04:01,770 --> 00:04:01,949: his 513 00:04:01,949 --> 00:04:02,340: latest 514 00:04:02,340 --> 00:04:03,930: task.

Ah, 515 00:04:03,930 --> 00:04:04,110: but 516 00:04:04,110 --> 00:04:04,439: how 517 00:04:04,439 --> 00:04:04,949: different 518 00:04:04,949 --> 00:04:05,250: life 519 00:04:05,250 --> 00:04:05,520: would've 520 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:05,729: been 521 00:04:05,729 --> 00:04:05,819: if 522 00:04:05,819 --> 00:04:05,939: he 523 00:04:05,939 --> 00:04:06,120: had 524 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:06,389: not 525 00:04:06,389 --> 00:04:06,810: thrust 526 00:04:06,810 --> 00:04:07,020: his 527 00:04:07,020 --> 00:04:07,590: baron's 528 00:04:07,590 --> 00:04:07,889: boar 529 00:04:07,889 --> 00:04:08,250: spear 530 00:04:08,250 --> 00:04:08,460: into 531 00:04:08,460 --> 00:04:08,669: one 532 00:04:08,669 --> 00:04:08,729: of 533 00:04:08,729 --> 00:04:08,819: the 534 00:04:08,819 --> 00:04:09,180: few 535 00:04:09,180 --> 00:04:09,689: vulnerable 536 00:04:09,689 --> 00:04:10,202: spots 537 00:04:10,202 --> 00:04:10,292: on 538 00:04:10,292 --> 00:04:10,439: the 539 00:04:10,439 --> 00:04:10,860: Black 540 00:04:10,860 --> 00:04:11,849: Terror, 541 00:04:11,849 --> 00:04:12,569: the dragon 542 00:04:12,569 --> 00:04:14,789: Ygdransair. He had been 543 00:04:14,789 --> 00:04:14,969: but 544 00:04:14,969 --> 00:04:15,030: a 545 00:04:15,030 --> 00:04:15,419: lad 546 00:04:15,419 --> 00:04:15,509: of 547 00:04:15,509 --> 00:04:15,900: twelve, 548 00:04:15,900 --> 00:04:16,019: at 549 00:04:16,019 --> 00:04:16,110: the 550 00:04:16,110 --> 00:04:16,800: time, 551 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:16,949: and 552 00:04:16,949 --> 00:04:17,040: the 553 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:17,850: rampaging 554 00:04:17,850 --> 00:04:18,360: dragon 555 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:18,600: had 556 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:18,959: laid 557 00:04:18,959 --> 00:04:19,410: waste 558 00:04:19,410 --> 00:04:19,500: to 559 00:04:19,500 --> 00:04:19,620: the 560 00:04:19,620 --> 00:04:19,949: village 561 00:04:19,949 --> 00:04:20,069: of 562 00:04:20,069 --> 00:04:20,220: his 563 00:04:20,220 --> 00:04:21,149: birth. 564 00:04:21,149 --> 00:04:21,449: Many 565 00:04:21,449 --> 00:04:22,079: died, 566 00:04:22,079 --> 00:04:22,439: many 567 00:04:22,439 --> 00:04:23,370: fled, 568 00:04:23,370 --> 00:04:23,490: a 569 00:04:23,490 --> 00:04:24,029: small 570 00:04:24,029 --> 00:04:24,360: number 571 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:24,600: had 572 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:24,899: sought 573 00:04:24,899 --> 00:04:25,410: shelter 574 00:04:25,410 --> 00:04:25,500: in 575 00:04:25,500 --> 00:04:25,589: the 576 00:04:25,589 --> 00:04:26,189: remains 577 00:04:26,189 --> 00:04:26,310: when 578 00:04:26,310 --> 00:04:26,430: the 579 00:04:26,430 --> 00:04:26,819: king’s 580 00:04:26,819 --> 00:04:27,120: knights 581 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:28,410: arrived.
The 582 00:04:28,410 --> 00:04:28,949: black 583 00:04:28,949 --> 00:04:29,399: beast 584 00:04:29,399 --> 00:04:29,910: slew 585 00:04:29,910 --> 00:04:30,329: half 586 00:04:30,329 --> 00:04:30,449: of 587 00:04:30,449 --> 00:04:30,990: them, 588 00:04:30,990 --> 00:04:31,379: taking 589 00:04:31,379 --> 00:04:31,410: a 590 00:04:31,410 --> 00:04:31,949: stand 591 00:04:31,949 --> 00:04:32,310: against 592 00:04:32,310 --> 00:04:32,670: those 593 00:04:32,670 --> 00:04:32,759: who 594 00:04:32,759 --> 00:04:33,269: remained 595 00:04:33,269 --> 00:04:33,360: in 596 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:33,839: what was 597 00:04:33,839 --> 00:04:34,142: left of 598 00:04:34,142 --> 00:04:34,292: the 599 00:04:34,292 --> 00:04:34,860: Swineson 600 00:04:34,860 --> 00:04:35,699: farmstead 601 00:04:35,699 --> 00:04:35,970: where 602 00:04:35,970 --> 00:04:36,540: Dirsche 603 00:04:36,540 --> 00:04:37,050: alone 604 00:04:37,050 --> 00:04:37,980: remained, 605 00:04:37,980 --> 00:04:38,490: hiding 606 00:04:38,490 --> 00:04:38,579: in 607 00:04:38,579 --> 00:04:38,639: a 608 00:04:38,639 --> 00:04:39,329: smashed 609 00:04:39,329 --> 00:04:39,839: sty 610 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:40,199: among 611 00:04:40,199 --> 00:04:40,589: dead 612 00:04:40,589 --> 00:04:40,769: and 613 00:04:40,769 --> 00:04:41,220: dying 614 00:04:41,220 --> 00:04:43,500: pigs.
Six 615 00:04:43,500 --> 00:04:43,620: of 616 00:04:43,620 --> 00:04:43,769: the 617 00:04:43,769 --> 00:04:44,310: original 618 00:04:44,310 --> 00:04:45,779: fourteen knights 619 00:04:45,779 --> 00:04:46,589: remained 620 00:04:46,589 --> 00:04:46,769: and 621 00:04:46,769 --> 00:04:47,069: set 622 00:04:47,069 --> 00:04:47,459: upon 623 00:04:47,459 --> 00:04:47,550: the 624 00:04:47,550 --> 00:04:48,029: dragon 625 00:04:48,029 --> 00:04:48,149: from 626 00:04:48,149 --> 00:04:48,300: all 627 00:04:48,300 --> 00:04:48,930: sides, 628 00:04:48,930 --> 00:04:49,560: goading 629 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:49,680: and 630 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:50,399: stabbing 631 00:04:50,399 --> 00:04:50,550: at 632 00:04:50,550 --> 00:04:50,639: it 633 00:04:50,639 --> 00:04:50,790: with 634 00:04:50,790 --> 00:04:55,500: great spears of ensorceled wood and adamant heads. One 635 00:04:55,500 --> 00:04:55,860: spear 636 00:04:55,860 --> 00:04:56,100: came 637 00:04:56,100 --> 00:04:56,189: to 638 00:04:56,189 --> 00:04:56,699: rest 639 00:04:56,699 --> 00:04:57,060: feet 640 00:04:57,060 --> 00:04:57,329: from 641 00:04:57,329 --> 00:04:57,629: where 642 00:04:57,629 --> 00:04:58,050: Dirsche 643 00:04:58,050 --> 00:04:58,860: sheltered, 644 00:04:58,860 --> 00:04:59,129: its 645 00:04:59,129 --> 00:04:59,550: bearer 646 00:04:59,550 --> 00:05:00,329: catapulted 647 00:05:00,329 --> 00:05:00,540: out 648 00:05:00,540 --> 00:05:00,600: of 649 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:00,990: sight 650 00:05:00,990 --> 00:05:01,170: by 651 00:05:01,170 --> 00:05:01,230: a 652 00:05:01,230 --> 00:05:01,680: mighty 653 00:05:01,680 --> 00:05:02,220: sweep 654 00:05:02,220 --> 00:05:02,310: of 655 00:05:02,310 --> 00:05:02,430: the 656 00:05:02,430 --> 00:05:02,850: great 657 00:05:02,850 --> 00:05:03,240: black 658 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:04,470: tail.
One 659 00:05:04,470 --> 00:05:05,279: more knight 660 00:05:05,279 --> 00:05:05,759: fell 661 00:05:05,759 --> 00:05:05,879: on 662 00:05:05,879 --> 00:05:06,000: the 663 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:06,300: next 664 00:05:06,300 --> 00:05:06,959: charge, 665 00:05:06,959 --> 00:05:07,379: forcing 666 00:05:07,379 --> 00:05:07,470: the 667 00:05:07,470 --> 00:05:07,889: dragon 668 00:05:07,889 --> 00:05:08,009: that 669 00:05:08,009 --> 00:05:08,160: was 670 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:08,639: many 671 00:05:08,639 --> 00:05:09,060: times 672 00:05:09,060 --> 00:05:09,120: the 673 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:09,509: size 674 00:05:09,509 --> 00:05:09,629: of 675 00:05:09,629 --> 00:05:10,019: they and 676 00:05:10,019 --> 00:05:10,199: their 677 00:05:10,199 --> 00:05:10,610: mounts 678 00:05:10,610 --> 00:05:10,800: by 679 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:11,550: multiples 680 00:05:11,550 --> 00:05:11,670: of 681 00:05:11,670 --> 00:05:12,449: ten, 682 00:05:12,449 --> 00:05:13,019: back 683 00:05:13,019 --> 00:05:14,160: grudging 684 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:14,399: step 685 00:05:14,399 --> 00:05:14,610: by 686 00:05:14,610 --> 00:05:15,689: step. 687 00:05:15,689 --> 00:05:16,709: Dirsche, 688 00:05:16,709 --> 00:05:16,860: in 689 00:05:16,860 --> 00:05:16,920: a 690 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:17,310: fit 691 00:05:17,310 --> 00:05:17,430: of 692 00:05:17,430 --> 00:05:18,089: terrified 693 00:05:18,089 --> 00:05:18,839: desperation, 694 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:19,529: snatched 695 00:05:19,529 --> 00:05:19,620: up 696 00:05:19,620 --> 00:05:19,709: the 697 00:05:19,709 --> 00:05:20,670: spear.
At 698 00:05:20,670 --> 00:05:20,850: his 699 00:05:20,850 --> 00:05:21,300: first 700 00:05:21,300 --> 00:05:21,660: touch 701 00:05:21,660 --> 00:05:21,959: upon 702 00:05:21,959 --> 00:05:22,050: the 703 00:05:22,050 --> 00:05:22,589: smooth 704 00:05:22,589 --> 00:05:22,860: wooden 705 00:05:22,860 --> 00:05:23,610: shaft 706 00:05:23,610 --> 00:05:23,879: the 707 00:05:23,879 --> 00:05:24,509: aura of 708 00:05:24,509 --> 00:05:24,990: dragon 709 00:05:24,990 --> 00:05:25,439: terror 710 00:05:25,439 --> 00:05:26,610: evaporated, 711 00:05:26,610 --> 00:05:27,120: whisked 712 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:27,600: away 713 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:27,930: leaving 714 00:05:27,930 --> 00:05:28,500: behind 715 00:05:28,500 --> 00:05:28,800: no 716 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:29,040: more 717 00:05:29,040 --> 00:05:29,490: fear 718 00:05:29,490 --> 00:05:29,639: than 719 00:05:29,639 --> 00:05:29,759: the 720 00:05:29,759 --> 00:05:30,269: caution 721 00:05:30,269 --> 00:05:30,389: he 722 00:05:30,389 --> 00:05:30,569: might 723 00:05:30,569 --> 00:05:30,660: have 724 00:05:30,660 --> 00:05:31,079: felt 725 00:05:31,079 --> 00:05:31,319: when 726 00:05:31,319 --> 00:05:31,800: facing 727 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:32,160: down 728 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:32,310: an 729 00:05:32,310 --> 00:05:32,730: angry 730 00:05:32,730 --> 00:05:34,139: sow. 731 00:05:34,139 --> 00:05:34,500: Pulling 732 00:05:34,500 --> 00:05:34,589: the 733 00:05:34,589 --> 00:05:34,920: spear 734 00:05:34,920 --> 00:05:35,100: to 735 00:05:35,100 --> 00:05:35,790: himself 736 00:05:35,790 --> 00:05:36,269: Dirsche 737 00:05:36,269 --> 00:05:36,990: crouched 738 00:05:36,990 --> 00:05:37,139: and 739 00:05:37,139 --> 00:05:37,680: grasped 740 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:37,769: the 741 00:05:37,769 --> 00:05:38,459: shaft, 742 00:05:38,459 --> 00:05:38,939: waiting 743 00:05:38,939 --> 00:05:39,089: for 744 00:05:39,089 --> 00:05:39,509: some 745 00:05:39,509 --> 00:05:39,930: opening 746 00:05:39,930 --> 00:05:40,050: he 747 00:05:40,050 --> 00:05:40,199: could 748 00:05:40,199 --> 00:05:40,709: use, 749 00:05:40,709 --> 00:05:40,860: or 750 00:05:40,860 --> 00:05:40,980: to 751 00:05:40,980 --> 00:05:41,129: be 752 00:05:41,129 --> 00:05:41,670: stepped 753 00:05:41,670 --> 00:05:42,000: upon 754 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:42,120: as 755 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:42,240: the 756 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:42,720: dragon 757 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:43,379: retreated 758 00:05:43,379 --> 00:05:43,949: closer 759 00:05:43,949 --> 00:05:44,754: toward the sty it 760 00:05:44,754 --> 00:05:44,910: had 761 00:05:44,910 --> 00:05:45,269: already 762 00:05:45,269 --> 00:05:45,899: smashed to 763 00:05:45,899 --> 00:05:47,430: faggots.
And 764 00:05:47,430 --> 00:05:48,000: then 765 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:49,170: Baron Thadell, 766 00:05:49,170 --> 00:05:49,290: the 767 00:05:49,290 --> 00:05:49,769: local 768 00:05:49,769 --> 00:05:50,579: Lord, 769 00:05:50,579 --> 00:05:50,790: was 770 00:05:50,790 --> 00:05:51,329: swiped 771 00:05:51,329 --> 00:05:51,480: from 772 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:51,660: his 773 00:05:51,660 --> 00:05:52,199: saddle, 774 00:05:52,199 --> 00:05:53,040: pinwheeling 775 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:53,670: thrice 776 00:05:53,670 --> 00:05:54,029: before 777 00:05:54,029 --> 00:05:54,660: plowing 778 00:05:54,660 --> 00:05:54,870: into 779 00:05:54,870 --> 00:05:55,199: what 780 00:05:55,199 --> 00:05:55,649: remained 781 00:05:55,649 --> 00:05:55,740: of 782 00:05:55,740 --> 00:05:55,829: the 783 00:05:55,829 --> 00:05:56,430: Swinson’s 784 00:05:56,430 --> 00:05:57,240: croft, 785 00:05:57,240 --> 00:05:57,569: his 786 00:05:57,569 --> 00:05:57,990: armor 787 00:05:57,990 --> 00:05:58,860: shredded 788 00:05:58,860 --> 00:05:59,009: to 789 00:05:59,009 --> 00:05:59,790: ruin 790 00:05:59,790 --> 00:05:59,970: and 791 00:05:59,970 --> 00:06:00,089: the 792 00:06:00,089 --> 00:06:00,600: flesh 793 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:01,410: beneath 794 00:06:01,410 --> 00:06:02,879: worse. 795 00:06:02,879 --> 00:06:03,389: That 796 00:06:03,389 --> 00:06:03,540: was 797 00:06:03,540 --> 00:06:03,720: when 798 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:03,810: the 799 00:06:03,810 --> 00:06:04,086: boy 800 00:06:04,086 --> 00:06:04,319: saw 801 00:06:04,319 --> 00:06:04,439: his 802 00:06:04,439 --> 00:06:05,160: opening, 803 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:05,370: one 804 00:06:05,370 --> 00:06:05,459: of 805 00:06:05,459 --> 00:06:05,550: the 806 00:06:05,550 --> 00:06:06,000: few 807 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:06,509: places 808 00:06:06,509 --> 00:06:06,629: the 809 00:06:06,629 --> 00:06:06,990: dragon 810 00:06:06,990 --> 00:06:07,170: was 811 00:06:07,170 --> 00:06:07,680: vulnerable 812 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:07,800: as 813 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:07,920: it 814 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:08,310: stood 815 00:06:08,310 --> 00:06:08,910: astride 816 00:06:08,910 --> 00:06:09,000: the 817 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:09,569: sty 818 00:06:09,569 --> 00:06:09,899: and 819 00:06:09,899 --> 00:06:10,500: bellowed 820 00:06:10,500 --> 00:06:10,680: its 821 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:11,129: rage 822 00:06:11,129 --> 00:06:11,220: at 823 00:06:11,220 --> 00:06:11,310: the 824 00:06:11,310 --> 00:06:11,639: four 825 00:06:11,639 --> 00:06:12,089: remaining 826 00:06:12,089 --> 00:06:13,740: knights.
Grasping 827 00:06:13,740 --> 00:06:13,860: the 828 00:06:13,860 --> 00:06:14,279: spear 829 00:06:14,279 --> 00:06:14,430: and 830 00:06:14,430 --> 00:06:14,819: raising 831 00:06:14,819 --> 00:06:14,939: it 832 00:06:14,939 --> 00:06:15,540: aloft 833 00:06:15,540 --> 00:06:16,049: Dirsche 834 00:06:16,049 --> 00:06:16,740: stormed 835 00:06:16,740 --> 00:06:16,889: from 836 00:06:16,889 --> 00:06:17,040: his 837 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:17,399: shelter 838 00:06:17,399 --> 00:06:17,730: without 839 00:06:17,730 --> 00:06:17,790: a 840 00:06:17,790 --> 00:06:18,569: cry, 841 00:06:18,569 --> 00:06:18,990: aiming 842 00:06:18,990 --> 00:06:19,139: for 843 00:06:19,139 --> 00:06:19,259: the 844 00:06:19,259 --> 00:06:19,709: weakness 845 00:06:19,709 --> 00:06:19,829: he 846 00:06:19,829 --> 00:06:19,949: had 847 00:06:19,949 --> 00:06:20,490: spied 848 00:06:20,490 --> 00:06:20,910: beneath 849 00:06:20,910 --> 00:06:21,000: the 850 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:21,569: dragon’s 851 00:06:21,569 --> 00:06:22,050: lashing 852 00:06:22,050 --> 00:06:23,220: tail.
With 853 00:06:23,220 --> 00:06:23,639: all 854 00:06:23,639 --> 00:06:23,730: of 855 00:06:23,730 --> 00:06:23,850: the 856 00:06:23,850 --> 00:06:24,569: strength, 857 00:06:24,569 --> 00:06:24,750: which 858 00:06:24,750 --> 00:06:24,930: was 859 00:06:24,930 --> 00:06:25,199: not 860 00:06:25,199 --> 00:06:26,100: inconsiderable 861 00:06:26,100 --> 00:06:26,279: for 862 00:06:26,279 --> 00:06:26,339: a 863 00:06:26,339 --> 00:06:26,970: hard working 864 00:06:26,970 --> 00:06:27,240: lad 865 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:27,300: of 866 00:06:27,300 --> 00:06:28,079: twelve, 867 00:06:28,079 --> 00:06:28,290: he 868 00:06:28,290 --> 00:06:28,829: drove 869 00:06:28,829 --> 00:06:28,949: the 870 00:06:28,949 --> 00:06:29,550: spear 871 00:06:29,550 --> 00:06:29,970: up 872 00:06:29,970 --> 00:06:30,180: and 873 00:06:30,180 --> 00:06:30,990: forward 874 00:06:30,990 --> 00:06:31,350: even 875 00:06:31,350 --> 00:06:31,529: as 876 00:06:31,529 --> 00:06:31,649: the 877 00:06:31,649 --> 00:06:32,189: dragon 878 00:06:32,189 --> 00:06:32,699: backed 879 00:06:32,699 --> 00:06:32,879: up 880 00:06:32,879 --> 00:06:33,269: before 881 00:06:33,269 --> 00:06:33,629: another 882 00:06:33,629 --> 00:06:35,009: charge. 883 00:06:35,009 --> 00:06:35,610: Unerringly 884 00:06:35,610 --> 00:06:35,699: the 885 00:06:35,699 --> 00:06:36,180: spear 886 00:06:36,180 --> 00:06:36,509: found 887 00:06:36,509 --> 00:06:36,660: its 888 00:06:36,660 --> 00:06:37,319: target, 889 00:06:37,319 --> 00:06:38,129: sinking 890 00:06:38,129 --> 00:06:38,970: unresisted 891 00:06:38,970 --> 00:06:39,209: by 892 00:06:39,209 --> 00:06:39,660: dragon 893 00:06:39,660 --> 00:06:39,990: scale 894 00:06:39,990 --> 00:06:40,259: through 895 00:06:40,259 --> 00:06:40,889: cloaca, 896 00:06:40,889 --> 00:06:41,610: rectum, 897 00:06:41,610 --> 00:06:41,759: and 898 00:06:41,759 --> 00:06:42,540: bowel 899 00:06:42,540 --> 00:06:42,930: before 900 00:06:42,930 --> 00:06:43,889: slicing 901 00:06:43,889 --> 00:06:44,430: lethally 902 00:06:44,430 --> 00:06:44,579: into 903 00:06:44,579 --> 00:06:44,759: the 904 00:06:44,759 --> 00:06:45,329: black 905 00:06:45,329 --> 00:06:48,509: monster’s villainous heart.
In its 906 00:06:48,509 --> 00:06:49,050: shock 907 00:06:49,050 --> 00:06:49,139: at 908 00:06:49,139 --> 00:06:49,199: the 909 00:06:49,199 --> 00:06:49,589: sudden 910 00:06:49,589 --> 00:06:50,069: agony 911 00:06:50,069 --> 00:06:50,220: the 912 00:06:50,220 --> 00:06:50,639: dragon 913 00:06:50,639 --> 00:06:51,209: lurched 914 00:06:51,209 --> 00:06:51,300: and 915 00:06:51,300 --> 00:06:51,449: then 916 00:06:51,449 --> 00:06:52,050: collapsed 917 00:06:52,050 --> 00:06:52,829: back, 918 00:06:52,829 --> 00:06:53,279: sitting 919 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:53,670: upon 920 00:06:53,670 --> 00:06:53,879: the 921 00:06:53,879 --> 00:06:54,600: unfortunate 922 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:54,990: lad 923 00:06:54,990 --> 00:06:55,379: and 924 00:06:55,379 --> 00:06:56,009: plunging 925 00:06:56,009 --> 00:06:56,220: him 926 00:06:56,220 --> 00:06:56,399: into 927 00:06:56,399 --> 00:06:56,579: the 928 00:06:56,579 --> 00:06:56,970: fetid 929 00:06:56,970 --> 00:06:57,509: darkness 930 00:06:57,509 --> 00:06:57,930: behind 931 00:06:57,930 --> 00:06:58,079: his 932 00:06:58,079 --> 00:06:59,279: spear. 933 00:06:59,279 --> 00:06:59,550: That 934 00:06:59,550 --> 00:07:00,029: spared 935 00:07:00,029 --> 00:07:00,180: him 936 00:07:00,180 --> 00:07:00,300: the 937 00:07:00,300 --> 00:07:00,750: dragon’s death 938 00:07:00,750 --> 00:07:01,769: throes, 939 00:07:01,769 --> 00:07:02,220: if 940 00:07:02,220 --> 00:07:04,290: indelicately.
Bathed 941 00:07:04,290 --> 00:07:04,680: head 942 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:04,800: to 943 00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:05,370: heels 944 00:07:05,370 --> 00:07:05,490: in 945 00:07:05,490 --> 00:07:06,000: dragon 946 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:06,389: blood 947 00:07:06,389 --> 00:07:06,750: and 948 00:07:06,750 --> 00:07:07,170: more 949 00:07:07,170 --> 00:07:07,680: noisome 950 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:08,579: substances 951 00:07:08,579 --> 00:07:08,699: he 952 00:07:08,699 --> 00:07:08,939: was 953 00:07:08,939 --> 00:07:09,300: hailed 954 00:07:09,300 --> 00:07:09,329: as a 955 00:07:09,329 --> 00:07:10,199: hero. 956 00:07:10,199 --> 00:07:10,529: Once 957 00:07:10,529 --> 00:07:10,649: he 958 00:07:10,649 --> 00:07:10,860: had 959 00:07:10,860 --> 00:07:11,009: been 960 00:07:11,009 --> 00:07:11,519: dragged 961 00:07:11,519 --> 00:07:11,699: from 962 00:07:11,699 --> 00:07:12,120: beneath 963 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:12,240: the 964 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:12,509: dead 965 00:07:12,509 --> 00:07:12,990: beast’s 966 00:07:12,990 --> 00:07:13,649: tail, 967 00:07:13,649 --> 00:07:13,860: and 968 00:07:13,860 --> 00:07:14,220: made 969 00:07:14,220 --> 00:07:14,699: feast 970 00:07:14,699 --> 00:07:15,029: upon 971 00:07:15,029 --> 00:07:15,149: its 972 00:07:15,149 --> 00:07:15,600: skewered 973 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:16,350: heart, 974 00:07:16,350 --> 00:07:16,500: the 975 00:07:16,500 --> 00:07:16,860: knights 976 00:07:16,860 --> 00:07:16,980: had 977 00:07:16,980 --> 00:07:17,310: taken 978 00:07:17,310 --> 00:07:17,490: him 979 00:07:17,490 --> 00:07:17,549: to 980 00:07:17,549 --> 00:07:18,540: squire. 981 00:07:18,540 --> 00:07:18,720: He 982 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:19,050: learned 983 00:07:19,050 --> 00:07:19,500: sword 984 00:07:19,500 --> 00:07:19,620: and 985 00:07:19,620 --> 00:07:20,220: shield, 986 00:07:20,220 --> 00:07:20,639: letters 987 00:07:20,639 --> 00:07:20,759: and 988 00:07:20,759 --> 00:07:21,300: numbers, 989 00:07:21,300 --> 00:07:21,810: hunt 990 00:07:21,810 --> 00:07:21,930: and 991 00:07:21,930 --> 00:07:22,709: court, 992 00:07:22,709 --> 00:07:23,160: until 993 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:23,579: he 994 00:07:23,579 --> 00:07:24,120: became 995 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:24,180: a 996 00:07:24,180 --> 00:07:24,779: knight 997 00:07:24,779 --> 00:07:25,980: true.
No 998 00:07:25,980 --> 00:07:26,189: one 999 00:07:26,189 --> 00:07:26,519: called 1000 00:07:26,519 --> 00:07:26,670: him 1001 00:07:26,670 --> 00:07:27,000: Sir 1002 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:27,629: Swineherd 1003 00:07:27,629 --> 00:07:27,810: any 1004 00:07:27,810 --> 00:07:28,740: more. 1005 00:07:28,740 --> 00:07:29,339: Slaying 1006 00:07:29,339 --> 00:07:29,759: seven 1007 00:07:29,759 --> 00:07:30,240: dragons 1008 00:07:30,240 --> 00:07:30,329: in 1009 00:07:30,329 --> 00:07:30,750: thirteen 1010 00:07:30,750 --> 00:07:31,110: years 1011 00:07:31,110 --> 00:07:31,439: tended 1012 00:07:31,439 --> 00:07:31,680: to 1013 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:32,160: quell 1014 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:33,420: pejoratives. 1015 00:07:33,420 --> 00:07:33,689: That 1016 00:07:33,689 --> 00:07:33,810: he 1017 00:07:33,810 --> 00:07:34,050: was 1018 00:07:34,050 --> 00:07:34,620: kind 1019 00:07:34,620 --> 00:07:34,860: and 1020 00:07:34,860 --> 00:07:35,819: charitable, 1021 00:07:35,819 --> 00:07:36,000: to 1022 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:36,089: a 1023 00:07:36,089 --> 00:07:36,930: fault, 1024 00:07:36,930 --> 00:07:37,199: with 1025 00:07:37,199 --> 00:07:37,680: peasant 1026 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:37,800: and 1027 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:38,399: nobility 1028 00:07:38,399 --> 00:07:39,120: alike, 1029 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:39,660: winnowed out 1030 00:07:39,660 --> 00:07:40,019: many 1031 00:07:40,019 --> 00:07:40,079: of 1032 00:07:40,079 --> 00:07:40,259: his 1033 00:07:40,259 --> 00:07:40,980: detractors 1034 00:07:40,980 --> 00:07:41,069: in 1035 00:07:41,069 --> 00:07:41,399: short 1036 00:07:41,399 --> 00:07:42,480: order. 1037 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:42,629: While 1038 00:07:42,629 --> 00:07:42,750: he 1039 00:07:42,750 --> 00:07:43,050: might 1040 00:07:43,050 --> 00:07:43,350: not 1041 00:07:43,350 --> 00:07:43,709: best 1042 00:07:43,709 --> 00:07:43,860: his 1043 00:07:43,860 --> 00:07:44,490: challengers at 1044 00:07:44,490 --> 00:07:45,300: joust 1045 00:07:45,300 --> 00:07:45,509: how 1046 00:07:45,509 --> 00:07:45,779: many 1047 00:07:45,779 --> 00:07:45,930: could 1048 00:07:45,930 --> 00:07:46,170: claim 1049 00:07:46,170 --> 00:07:46,290: to 1050 00:07:46,290 --> 00:07:46,410: have 1051 00:07:46,410 --> 00:07:46,847: slain 1052 00:07:46,847 --> 00:07:47,160: three 1053 00:07:47,160 --> 00:07:47,970: dragons, 1054 00:07:47,970 --> 00:07:48,300: much 1055 00:07:48,300 --> 00:07:48,602: less 1056 00:07:48,602 --> 00:07:50,430: seven?

Sir 1057 00:07:50,430 --> 00:07:51,089: Dirsche, 1058 00:07:51,089 --> 00:07:51,720: the Rainbow 1059 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:52,079: Knight, 1060 00:07:52,079 --> 00:07:52,769: rode 1061 00:07:52,769 --> 00:07:52,980: his shadow 1062 00:07:52,980 --> 00:07:53,399: black 1063 00:07:53,399 --> 00:07:54,060: warhorse 1064 00:07:54,060 --> 00:07:54,209: from 1065 00:07:54,209 --> 00:07:54,329: the 1066 00:07:54,329 --> 00:07:54,750: fringes 1067 00:07:54,750 --> 00:07:54,810: of 1068 00:07:54,810 --> 00:07:54,930: the 1069 00:07:54,930 --> 00:07:55,470: forest 1070 00:07:55,470 --> 00:07:55,680: into 1071 00:07:55,680 --> 00:07:55,740: a 1072 00:07:55,740 --> 00:07:56,160: meadow 1073 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:56,310: of 1074 00:07:56,310 --> 00:07:56,730: lush 1075 00:07:56,730 --> 00:07:57,240: greens 1076 00:07:57,240 --> 00:07:57,360: and 1077 00:07:57,360 --> 00:07:58,589: colors. 1078 00:07:58,589 --> 00:07:59,189: Flowers 1079 00:07:59,189 --> 00:07:59,850: swayed 1080 00:07:59,850 --> 00:08:00,029: their 1081 00:08:00,029 --> 00:08:00,540: vibrant 1082 00:08:00,540 --> 00:08:00,990: hues 1083 00:08:00,990 --> 00:08:01,110: in 1084 00:08:01,110 --> 00:08:01,170: a 1085 00:08:01,170 --> 00:08:01,620: verdant 1086 00:08:01,620 --> 00:08:02,100: green 1087 00:08:02,100 --> 00:08:02,490: carpet 1088 00:08:02,490 --> 00:08:02,579: of 1089 00:08:02,579 --> 00:08:03,689: grass. 1090 00:08:03,689 --> 00:08:04,230: Across 1091 00:08:04,230 --> 00:08:04,319: the 1092 00:08:04,319 --> 00:08:04,949: clearing, 1093 00:08:04,949 --> 00:08:05,550: nestled 1094 00:08:05,550 --> 00:08:05,699: at 1095 00:08:05,699 --> 00:08:05,790: the 1096 00:08:05,790 --> 00:08:06,149: base 1097 00:08:06,149 --> 00:08:06,240: of 1098 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:06,300: a 1099 00:08:06,300 --> 00:08:06,689: sheer 1100 00:08:06,689 --> 00:08:07,019: rock 1101 00:08:07,019 --> 00:08:07,709: wall, 1102 00:08:07,709 --> 00:08:07,889: was 1103 00:08:07,889 --> 00:08:07,949: a 1104 00:08:07,949 --> 00:08:08,550: modest 1105 00:08:08,550 --> 00:08:08,915: lake 1106 00:08:08,915 --> 00:08:09,120: of 1107 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:09,569: crystal 1108 00:08:09,569 --> 00:08:09,839: clear 1109 00:08:09,839 --> 00:08:10,889: water. 1110 00:08:10,889 --> 00:08:11,069: As 1111 00:08:11,069 --> 00:08:11,160: he 1112 00:08:11,160 --> 00:08:11,400: rode 1113 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:11,850: closer 1114 00:08:11,850 --> 00:08:11,939: he 1115 00:08:11,939 --> 00:08:12,089: could 1116 00:08:12,089 --> 00:08:12,329: see 1117 00:08:12,329 --> 00:08:12,750: great 1118 00:08:12,750 --> 00:08:13,170: schools 1119 00:08:13,170 --> 00:08:13,259: of 1120 00:08:13,259 --> 00:08:13,860: trout, 1121 00:08:13,860 --> 00:08:14,129: and 1122 00:08:14,129 --> 00:08:14,490: some 1123 00:08:14,490 --> 00:08:14,819: other 1124 00:08:14,819 --> 00:08:15,329: far 1125 00:08:15,329 --> 00:08:15,779: larger 1126 00:08:15,779 --> 00:08:16,290: fish, 1127 00:08:16,290 --> 00:08:17,069: suspended 1128 00:08:17,069 --> 00:08:17,160: in 1129 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:17,250: the 1130 00:08:17,250 --> 00:08:17,730: shimmering 1131 00:08:17,730 --> 00:08:18,870: depths. 1132 00:08:18,870 --> 00:08:19,230: Deeper 1133 00:08:19,230 --> 00:08:19,680: still 1134 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:19,860: was 1135 00:08:19,860 --> 00:08:19,949: a 1136 00:08:19,949 --> 00:08:20,670: vast, 1137 00:08:20,670 --> 00:08:21,240: black 1138 00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:21,779: blot 1139 00:08:21,779 --> 00:08:21,870: of 1140 00:08:21,870 --> 00:08:22,379: far 1141 00:08:22,379 --> 00:08:22,769: deeper 1142 00:08:22,769 --> 00:08:24,060: water.
The 1143 00:08:24,060 --> 00:08:24,750: maw 1144 00:08:24,750 --> 00:08:24,930: of 1145 00:08:24,930 --> 00:08:25,050: the 1146 00:08:25,050 --> 00:08:25,589: dragon's 1147 00:08:25,589 --> 00:08:27,329: lair.
Moving 1148 00:08:27,329 --> 00:08:27,720: away, 1149 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:27,930: to 1150 00:08:27,930 --> 00:08:28,019: a 1151 00:08:28,019 --> 00:08:28,500: large 1152 00:08:28,500 --> 00:08:29,370: stone upthrust 1153 00:08:29,370 --> 00:08:29,519: from 1154 00:08:29,519 --> 00:08:29,639: the 1155 00:08:29,639 --> 00:08:30,209: earth, 1156 00:08:30,209 --> 00:08:30,360: he 1157 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:31,079: dismounted 1158 00:08:31,079 --> 00:08:31,230: with 1159 00:08:31,230 --> 00:08:31,290: a 1160 00:08:31,290 --> 00:08:31,709: creak 1161 00:08:31,709 --> 00:08:31,829: of 1162 00:08:31,829 --> 00:08:32,279: dragon 1163 00:08:32,279 --> 00:08:32,639: leather 1164 00:08:32,639 --> 00:08:32,970: armor 1165 00:08:32,970 --> 00:08:33,120: and 1166 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:33,539: saddle 1167 00:08:33,539 --> 00:08:34,679: leather. 1168 00:08:34,679 --> 00:08:35,490: Unlimbering 1169 00:08:35,490 --> 00:08:36,090: shield 1170 00:08:36,090 --> 00:08:36,240: and 1171 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:36,899: scabbard 1172 00:08:36,899 --> 00:08:37,019: he 1173 00:08:37,019 --> 00:08:37,379: leaned 1174 00:08:37,379 --> 00:08:37,500: them 1175 00:08:37,500 --> 00:08:37,889: against 1176 00:08:37,889 --> 00:08:37,950: the 1177 00:08:37,950 --> 00:08:38,909: stone. 1178 00:08:38,909 --> 00:08:39,090: He 1179 00:08:39,090 --> 00:08:39,419: then 1180 00:08:39,419 --> 00:08:39,659: set 1181 00:08:39,659 --> 00:08:39,990: about 1182 00:08:39,990 --> 00:08:40,470: removing 1183 00:08:40,470 --> 00:08:40,679: his 1184 00:08:40,679 --> 00:08:41,340: mount’s saddle 1185 00:08:41,340 --> 00:08:41,460: and 1186 00:08:41,460 --> 00:08:42,269: barding, 1187 00:08:42,269 --> 00:08:42,809: carefully 1188 00:08:42,809 --> 00:08:43,169: setting 1189 00:08:43,169 --> 00:08:43,289: it 1190 00:08:43,289 --> 00:08:43,710: neatly 1191 00:08:43,710 --> 00:08:43,799: in 1192 00:08:43,799 --> 00:08:43,860: the 1193 00:08:43,860 --> 00:08:44,250: shade 1194 00:08:44,250 --> 00:08:44,340: of 1195 00:08:44,340 --> 00:08:44,399: a 1196 00:08:44,399 --> 00:08:44,730: tree 1197 00:08:44,730 --> 00:08:44,850: at 1198 00:08:44,850 --> 00:08:44,909: the 1199 00:08:44,909 --> 00:08:46,440: forest’s edge. 1200 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:46,620: He 1201 00:08:46,620 --> 00:08:46,799: did 1202 00:08:46,799 --> 00:08:46,950: this 1203 00:08:46,950 --> 00:08:47,250: before 1204 00:08:47,250 --> 00:08:47,700: bracing 1205 00:08:47,700 --> 00:08:48,000: any 1206 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:48,539: dragon 1207 00:08:48,539 --> 00:08:48,840: lest 1208 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:49,019: his 1209 00:08:49,019 --> 00:08:49,649: demise 1210 00:08:49,649 --> 00:08:49,830: leave 1211 00:08:49,830 --> 00:08:50,009: his 1212 00:08:50,009 --> 00:08:50,370: mount 1213 00:08:50,370 --> 00:08:50,460: in 1214 00:08:50,460 --> 00:08:50,549: the 1215 00:08:50,549 --> 00:08:51,149: wild, 1216 00:08:51,149 --> 00:08:51,659: alone 1217 00:08:51,659 --> 00:08:51,779: and 1218 00:08:51,779 --> 00:08:52,440: burdened, 1219 00:08:52,440 --> 00:08:52,980: unable 1220 00:08:52,980 --> 00:08:53,129: to 1221 00:08:53,129 --> 00:08:53,549: escape 1222 00:08:53,549 --> 00:08:53,730: its 1223 00:08:53,730 --> 00:08:55,080: encumbrance. 1224 00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:55,320: His 1225 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:55,830: mount, 1226 00:08:55,830 --> 00:08:56,190: long 1227 00:08:56,190 --> 00:08:56,639: inured 1228 00:08:56,639 --> 00:08:56,848: to 1229 00:08:56,848 --> 00:08:57,210: dragon 1230 00:08:57,210 --> 00:08:57,539: fear 1231 00:08:57,539 --> 00:08:57,629: and 1232 00:08:57,629 --> 00:08:57,720: the 1233 00:08:57,720 --> 00:08:58,110: clangor 1234 00:08:58,110 --> 00:08:58,200: of 1235 00:08:58,200 --> 00:08:58,889: battle, 1236 00:08:58,889 --> 00:08:59,129: would 1237 00:08:59,129 --> 00:08:59,490: not 1238 00:08:59,490 --> 00:08:59,789: stray 1239 00:08:59,789 --> 00:09:00,210: far 1240 00:09:00,210 --> 00:09:00,629: unless 1241 00:09:00,629 --> 00:09:01,049: beset 1242 00:09:01,049 --> 00:09:02,460: directly.
With 1243 00:09:02,460 --> 00:09:02,549: a 1244 00:09:02,549 --> 00:09:02,909: pat 1245 00:09:02,909 --> 00:09:03,029: to 1246 00:09:03,029 --> 00:09:03,120: the 1247 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:03,600: muscular 1248 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:04,019: shoulder 1249 00:09:04,019 --> 00:09:04,200: he 1250 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:04,409: let 1251 00:09:04,409 --> 00:09:04,590: it 1252 00:09:04,590 --> 00:09:04,980: amble 1253 00:09:04,980 --> 00:09:05,254: away 1254 00:09:05,254 --> 00:09:05,369: to 1255 00:09:05,369 --> 00:09:06,210: graze. 1256 00:09:06,210 --> 00:09:06,509: Taking 1257 00:09:06,509 --> 00:09:06,600: a 1258 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:07,049: casual 1259 00:09:07,049 --> 00:09:07,350: seat 1260 00:09:07,350 --> 00:09:07,590: upon 1261 00:09:07,590 --> 00:09:07,679: the 1262 00:09:07,679 --> 00:09:08,190: stone, 1263 00:09:08,190 --> 00:09:08,610: shield 1264 00:09:08,610 --> 00:09:08,730: and 1265 00:09:08,730 --> 00:09:09,179: sword 1266 00:09:09,179 --> 00:09:09,450: close 1267 00:09:09,450 --> 00:09:09,570: at 1268 00:09:09,570 --> 00:09:10,289: hand, 1269 00:09:10,289 --> 00:09:10,470: he 1270 00:09:10,470 --> 00:09:10,679: drew 1271 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:10,740: a 1272 00:09:10,740 --> 00:09:11,309: simple 1273 00:09:11,309 --> 00:09:11,639: tenor 1274 00:09:11,639 --> 00:09:12,240: recorder 1275 00:09:12,240 --> 00:09:12,450: of 1276 00:09:12,450 --> 00:09:12,809: age 1277 00:09:12,809 --> 00:09:13,200: whitened 1278 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:13,620: bone 1279 00:09:13,620 --> 00:09:13,860: from 1280 00:09:13,860 --> 00:09:14,039: his 1281 00:09:14,039 --> 00:09:15,000: belt. 1282 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:15,419: Raising 1283 00:09:15,419 --> 00:09:15,539: it 1284 00:09:15,539 --> 00:09:15,659: to 1285 00:09:15,659 --> 00:09:15,809: his 1286 00:09:15,809 --> 00:09:16,200: lips 1287 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:16,350: he 1288 00:09:16,350 --> 00:09:16,769: began 1289 00:09:16,769 --> 00:09:16,860: to 1290 00:09:16,860 --> 00:09:17,700: play. 1291 00:09:17,700 --> 00:09:17,879: Though 1292 00:09:17,879 --> 00:09:17,970: he 1293 00:09:17,970 --> 00:09:18,240: heard 1294 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:18,539: little 1295 00:09:18,539 --> 00:09:18,929: more 1296 00:09:18,929 --> 00:09:19,110: than 1297 00:09:19,110 --> 00:09:19,169: a 1298 00:09:19,169 --> 00:09:19,620: breathy 1299 00:09:19,620 --> 00:09:20,370: warble 1300 00:09:20,370 --> 00:09:20,580: he 1301 00:09:20,580 --> 00:09:20,940: felt 1302 00:09:20,940 --> 00:09:21,029: it 1303 00:09:21,029 --> 00:09:21,539: vibrate 1304 00:09:21,539 --> 00:09:21,840: against 1305 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:21,990: his 1306 00:09:21,990 --> 00:09:22,409: lips 1307 00:09:22,409 --> 00:09:22,529: and 1308 00:09:22,529 --> 00:09:22,889: beneath 1309 00:09:22,889 --> 00:09:23,070: his 1310 00:09:23,070 --> 00:09:23,490: fingers 1311 00:09:23,490 --> 00:09:23,639: through 1312 00:09:23,639 --> 00:09:23,789: his 1313 00:09:23,789 --> 00:09:24,960: gauntlets. 1314 00:09:24,960 --> 00:09:25,169: Though 1315 00:09:25,169 --> 00:09:25,320: he 1316 00:09:25,320 --> 00:09:25,649: could 1317 00:09:25,649 --> 00:09:25,860: not 1318 00:09:25,860 --> 00:09:26,039: hear 1319 00:09:26,039 --> 00:09:26,220: its 1320 00:09:26,220 --> 00:09:27,000: music, 1321 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:27,240: he 1322 00:09:27,240 --> 00:09:27,659: knew 1323 00:09:27,659 --> 00:09:27,840: that 1324 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:27,960: the 1325 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:28,440: dragon 1326 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:28,740: most 1327 00:09:28,740 --> 00:09:29,250: certainly 1328 00:09:29,250 --> 00:09:30,480: would.
For 1329 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:30,570: a 1330 00:09:30,570 --> 00:09:30,990: quarter 1331 00:09:30,990 --> 00:09:31,289: hour 1332 00:09:31,289 --> 00:09:31,470: he 1333 00:09:31,470 --> 00:09:31,889: played 1334 00:09:31,889 --> 00:09:32,309: idly 1335 00:09:32,309 --> 00:09:32,610: upon 1336 00:09:32,610 --> 00:09:32,700: the 1337 00:09:32,700 --> 00:09:33,419: flute, 1338 00:09:33,419 --> 00:09:33,840: unable 1339 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:33,929: to 1340 00:09:33,929 --> 00:09:34,259: follow 1341 00:09:34,259 --> 00:09:34,320: a 1342 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:34,710: tune 1343 00:09:34,710 --> 00:09:34,919: as 1344 00:09:34,919 --> 00:09:35,100: he 1345 00:09:35,100 --> 00:09:35,309: could 1346 00:09:35,309 --> 00:09:35,519: not 1347 00:09:35,519 --> 00:09:35,759: hear 1348 00:09:35,759 --> 00:09:36,240: it, 1349 00:09:36,240 --> 00:09:36,629: until 1350 00:09:36,629 --> 00:09:36,750: he 1351 00:09:36,750 --> 00:09:37,019: saw 1352 00:09:37,019 --> 00:09:37,110: the 1353 00:09:37,110 --> 00:09:37,529: surface 1354 00:09:37,529 --> 00:09:37,620: of 1355 00:09:37,620 --> 00:09:37,740: the 1356 00:09:37,740 --> 00:09:38,039: lake 1357 00:09:38,039 --> 00:09:38,639: ripple 1358 00:09:38,639 --> 00:09:38,850: as 1359 00:09:38,850 --> 00:09:38,970: if 1360 00:09:38,970 --> 00:09:39,659: disturbed 1361 00:09:39,659 --> 00:09:39,870: from 1362 00:09:39,870 --> 00:09:40,169: within 1363 00:09:40,169 --> 00:09:40,350: its 1364 00:09:40,350 --> 00:09:41,460: depths. 1365 00:09:41,460 --> 00:09:42,059: Something 1366 00:09:42,059 --> 00:09:42,600: moved 1367 00:09:42,600 --> 00:09:42,690: in 1368 00:09:42,690 --> 00:09:42,809: the 1369 00:09:42,809 --> 00:09:43,200: dark 1370 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:43,769: shadows 1371 00:09:43,769 --> 00:09:44,100: deep 1372 00:09:44,100 --> 00:09:44,340: within 1373 00:09:44,340 --> 00:09:44,429: the 1374 00:09:44,429 --> 00:09:45,120: lake, 1375 00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:45,570: causing 1376 00:09:45,570 --> 00:09:45,690: its 1377 00:09:45,690 --> 00:09:46,169: surface 1378 00:09:46,169 --> 00:09:46,289: to 1379 00:09:46,289 --> 00:09:46,930: bulge 1380 00:09:46,930 --> 00:09:47,100: like 1381 00:09:47,100 --> 00:09:47,190: a 1382 00:09:47,190 --> 00:09:47,669: river 1383 00:09:47,669 --> 00:09:48,480: flowing 1384 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:48,779: over 1385 00:09:48,779 --> 00:09:48,870: a 1386 00:09:48,870 --> 00:09:49,320: large 1387 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:49,679: rock 1388 00:09:49,679 --> 00:09:50,009: beneath 1389 00:09:50,009 --> 00:09:50,100: the 1390 00:09:50,100 --> 00:09:51,149: surface. 1391 00:09:51,149 --> 00:09:51,360: He 1392 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:51,750: tootled 1393 00:09:51,750 --> 00:09:51,809: a 1394 00:09:51,809 --> 00:09:52,350: sharper 1395 00:09:52,350 --> 00:09:52,830: riff 1396 00:09:52,830 --> 00:09:53,519: and, 1397 00:09:53,519 --> 00:09:54,570: abruptly, 1398 00:09:54,570 --> 00:09:54,720: the 1399 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:55,230: waters 1400 00:09:55,230 --> 00:09:55,320: of 1401 00:09:55,320 --> 00:09:55,409: the 1402 00:09:55,409 --> 00:09:55,796: lake 1403 00:09:55,796 --> 00:09:56,490: surged 1404 00:09:56,490 --> 00:09:56,879: upward 1405 00:09:56,879 --> 00:09:57,179: before 1406 00:09:57,179 --> 00:09:58,019: exploding 1407 00:09:58,019 --> 00:09:58,110: in 1408 00:09:58,110 --> 00:09:58,200: a 1409 00:09:58,200 --> 00:09:58,799: great, 1410 00:09:58,799 --> 00:09:59,549: frothing 1411 00:09:59,549 --> 00:10:00,539: fountain. 1412 00:10:00,539 --> 00:10:00,659: A 1413 00:10:00,659 --> 00:10:01,649: large, 1414 00:10:01,649 --> 00:10:02,220: green 1415 00:10:02,220 --> 00:10:03,029: shape 1416 00:10:03,029 --> 00:10:03,629: launched 1417 00:10:03,629 --> 00:10:03,809: from 1418 00:10:03,809 --> 00:10:03,899: the 1419 00:10:03,899 --> 00:10:04,259: falling 1420 00:10:04,259 --> 00:10:05,039: water, 1421 00:10:05,039 --> 00:10:05,549: churning 1422 00:10:05,549 --> 00:10:05,850: up 1423 00:10:05,850 --> 00:10:06,360: grass 1424 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:06,450: and 1425 00:10:06,450 --> 00:10:07,049: flowers 1426 00:10:07,049 --> 00:10:07,169: as 1427 00:10:07,169 --> 00:10:07,318: it 1428 00:10:07,318 --> 00:10:07,830: bounded 1429 00:10:07,830 --> 00:10:08,340: ashore 1430 00:10:08,340 --> 00:10:08,490: and 1431 00:10:08,490 --> 00:10:09,090: slew 1432 00:10:09,090 --> 00:10:09,240: to 1433 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:09,539: one 1434 00:10:09,539 --> 00:10:10,529: side. 1435 00:10:10,529 --> 00:10:11,279: Great turves 1436 00:10:11,279 --> 00:10:11,490: of 1437 00:10:11,490 --> 00:10:11,820: earth 1438 00:10:11,820 --> 00:10:12,059: were 1439 00:10:12,059 --> 00:10:12,629: gouged 1440 00:10:12,629 --> 00:10:12,840: up 1441 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:13,049: by 1442 00:10:13,049 --> 00:10:13,649: powerful 1443 00:10:13,649 --> 00:10:14,370: talons 1444 00:10:14,370 --> 00:10:14,639: and 1445 00:10:14,639 --> 00:10:15,299: unhomed 1446 00:10:15,299 --> 00:10:15,809: fish 1447 00:10:15,809 --> 00:10:16,440: flopping 1448 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:17,129: wildly 1449 00:10:17,129 --> 00:10:17,490: about 1450 00:10:17,490 --> 00:10:17,580: in 1451 00:10:17,580 --> 00:10:17,639: the 1452 00:10:17,639 --> 00:10:18,149: grass 1453 00:10:18,149 --> 00:10:18,269: as 1454 00:10:18,269 --> 00:10:18,360: the 1455 00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:18,750: water 1456 00:10:18,750 --> 00:10:19,379: retreated 1457 00:10:19,379 --> 00:10:20,190: staining 1458 00:10:20,190 --> 00:10:20,340: the 1459 00:10:20,340 --> 00:10:21,000: crystalline 1460 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:21,419: waters 1461 00:10:21,419 --> 00:10:21,600: with 1462 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:22,409: mud. 1463 00:10:22,409 --> 00:10:22,559: A 1464 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:23,039: great 1465 00:10:23,039 --> 00:10:23,909: serpentine 1466 00:10:23,909 --> 00:10:24,269: neck 1467 00:10:24,269 --> 00:10:24,929: raised 1468 00:10:24,929 --> 00:10:25,139: an 1469 00:10:25,139 --> 00:10:25,950: angular, 1470 00:10:25,950 --> 00:10:26,370: arrow 1471 00:10:26,370 --> 00:10:26,759: shaped 1472 00:10:26,759 --> 00:10:27,000: head 1473 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:27,899: high, 1474 00:10:27,899 --> 00:10:28,409: mighty 1475 00:10:28,409 --> 00:10:29,070: wings 1476 00:10:29,070 --> 00:10:29,519: beating 1477 00:10:29,519 --> 00:10:29,669: to 1478 00:10:29,669 --> 00:10:30,299: flatten 1479 00:10:30,299 --> 00:10:30,659: the 1480 00:10:30,659 --> 00:10:30,929: flowers 1481 00:10:30,929 --> 00:10:31,019: and 1482 00:10:31,019 --> 00:10:33,659: grass. "Desist 1483 00:10:33,659 --> 00:10:33,929: that 1484 00:10:33,929 --> 00:10:34,559: cloaca 1485 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:35,220: spawned 1486 00:10:35,220 --> 00:10:36,600: cacophony!" 1487 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:36,809: it 1488 00:10:36,809 --> 00:10:37,379: roared 1489 00:10:37,379 --> 00:10:37,559: with 1490 00:10:37,559 --> 00:10:37,620: the 1491 00:10:37,620 --> 00:10:38,220: sound 1492 00:10:38,220 --> 00:10:38,309: of 1493 00:10:38,309 --> 00:10:38,370: a 1494 00:10:38,370 --> 00:10:39,690: tea kettle well 1495 00:10:39,690 --> 00:10:40,139: past 1496 00:10:40,139 --> 00:10:41,418: boiling.
Sir Dirsche 1497 00:10:41,418 --> 00:10:42,269: did, 1498 00:10:42,269 --> 00:10:42,779: lowering 1499 00:10:42,779 --> 00:10:42,870: the 1500 00:10:42,870 --> 00:10:43,379: recorder 1501 00:10:43,379 --> 00:10:43,620: to 1502 00:10:43,620 --> 00:10:43,980: eye it 1503 00:10:43,980 --> 00:10:47,100: speculatively. "Cloaca spawned? 1504 00:10:47,100 --> 00:10:48,210: Well, can't say 1505 00:10:48,210 --> 00:10:48,389: as I've 1506 00:10:48,389 --> 00:10:48,600: ever 1507 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:48,840: heard 1508 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:48,929: it 1509 00:10:48,929 --> 00:10:49,169: thus 1510 00:10:49,169 --> 00:10:50,159: described." 1511 00:10:50,159 --> 00:10:50,909: He opined 1512 00:10:50,909 --> 00:10:51,779: ruefully, 1513 00:10:51,779 --> 00:10:52,110: not 1514 00:10:52,110 --> 00:10:52,559: reaching 1515 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:52,769: for 1516 00:10:52,769 --> 00:10:53,039: either 1517 00:10:53,039 --> 00:10:53,429: sword 1518 00:10:53,429 --> 00:10:53,519: or 1519 00:10:53,519 --> 00:10:54,870: shield. "But 1520 00:10:54,870 --> 00:10:55,409: then, 1521 00:10:55,409 --> 00:10:55,860: human 1522 00:10:55,860 --> 00:10:56,159: ears 1523 00:10:56,159 --> 00:10:56,340: are 1524 00:10:56,340 --> 00:10:56,610: deaf 1525 00:10:56,610 --> 00:10:56,789: to 1526 00:10:56,789 --> 00:10:57,600: it." 1527 00:10:57,600 --> 00:10:58,139: Turning 1528 00:10:58,139 --> 00:10:58,679: slightly 1529 00:10:58,679 --> 00:10:59,159: upon 1530 00:10:59,159 --> 00:10:59,279: the 1531 00:10:59,279 --> 00:10:59,610: rock 1532 00:10:59,610 --> 00:10:59,730: to 1533 00:10:59,730 --> 00:11:00,149: gaze 1534 00:11:00,149 --> 00:11:00,480: up 1535 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:00,629: at 1536 00:11:00,629 --> 00:11:00,720: the 1537 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:01,470: furious 1538 00:11:01,470 --> 00:11:02,009: dragon's 1539 00:11:02,009 --> 00:11:02,460: wrathful 1540 00:11:02,460 --> 00:11:04,440: visage.
It, 1541 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:04,769: or 1542 00:11:04,769 --> 00:11:05,879: rather 'she' 1543 00:11:05,879 --> 00:11:06,059: if 1544 00:11:06,059 --> 00:11:06,149: the 1545 00:11:06,149 --> 00:11:06,600: villagers 1546 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:06,720: had 1547 00:11:06,720 --> 00:11:06,870: been 1548 00:11:06,870 --> 00:11:07,889: truthful, 1549 00:11:07,889 --> 00:11:08,159: was 1550 00:11:08,159 --> 00:11:08,700: quite 1551 00:11:08,700 --> 00:11:08,879: an 1552 00:11:08,879 --> 00:11:09,269: image 1553 00:11:09,269 --> 00:11:09,360: to 1554 00:11:09,360 --> 00:11:09,690: take 1555 00:11:09,690 --> 00:11:10,590: in. 1556 00:11:10,590 --> 00:11:11,190: Overall 1557 00:11:11,190 --> 00:11:11,370: she 1558 00:11:11,370 --> 00:11:11,549: was 1559 00:11:11,549 --> 00:11:12,330: primarily 1560 00:11:12,330 --> 00:11:12,750: green 1561 00:11:12,750 --> 00:11:12,870: in 1562 00:11:12,870 --> 00:11:13,649: hue, 1563 00:11:13,649 --> 00:11:13,860: from 1564 00:11:13,860 --> 00:11:13,950: a 1565 00:11:13,950 --> 00:11:14,490: deep 1566 00:11:14,490 --> 00:11:14,970: emerald 1567 00:11:14,970 --> 00:11:15,299: along 1568 00:11:15,299 --> 00:11:15,480: her 1569 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:15,870: back 1570 00:11:15,870 --> 00:11:16,230: fading 1571 00:11:16,230 --> 00:11:16,379: to 1572 00:11:16,379 --> 00:11:16,830: lighter 1573 00:11:16,830 --> 00:11:17,190: hues 1574 00:11:17,190 --> 00:11:17,490: along 1575 00:11:17,490 --> 00:11:17,669: the 1576 00:11:17,669 --> 00:11:18,240: underside 1577 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:18,299: of 1578 00:11:18,299 --> 00:11:18,419: her 1579 00:11:18,419 --> 00:11:18,899: throat 1580 00:11:18,899 --> 00:11:19,049: and 1581 00:11:19,049 --> 00:11:20,070: wings. 1582 00:11:20,070 --> 00:11:20,639: Below 1583 00:11:20,639 --> 00:11:20,970: those 1584 00:11:20,970 --> 00:11:21,419: vast 1585 00:11:21,419 --> 00:11:21,809: wings 1586 00:11:21,809 --> 00:11:21,929: her 1587 00:11:21,929 --> 00:11:22,559: smooth 1588 00:11:22,559 --> 00:11:22,950: flesh 1589 00:11:22,950 --> 00:11:23,129: was 1590 00:11:23,129 --> 00:11:23,820: striated 1591 00:11:23,820 --> 00:11:24,059: with 1592 00:11:24,059 --> 00:11:24,690: blues, 1593 00:11:24,690 --> 00:11:25,200: greens, 1594 00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:25,409: and 1595 00:11:25,409 --> 00:11:26,669: aquamarines 1596 00:11:26,669 --> 00:11:27,480: interspersed 1597 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:27,629: with 1598 00:11:27,629 --> 00:11:28,350: rosettes 1599 00:11:28,350 --> 00:11:28,529: of 1600 00:11:28,529 --> 00:11:29,070: red 1601 00:11:29,070 --> 00:11:29,340: or 1602 00:11:29,340 --> 00:11:29,789: ocher 1603 00:11:29,789 --> 00:11:30,029: or 1604 00:11:30,029 --> 00:11:30,509: orange 1605 00:11:30,509 --> 00:11:30,600: in 1606 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:30,690: the 1607 00:11:30,690 --> 00:11:31,019: manner 1608 00:11:31,019 --> 00:11:31,139: of 1609 00:11:31,139 --> 00:11:31,169: a 1610 00:11:31,169 --> 00:11:32,759: trout.
Quite 1611 00:11:32,759 --> 00:11:33,179: pretty 1612 00:11:33,179 --> 00:11:33,330: in 1613 00:11:33,330 --> 00:11:33,419: a 1614 00:11:33,419 --> 00:11:34,080: deadly, 1615 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:34,740: predatory 1616 00:11:34,740 --> 00:11:36,870: way.
Piercing 1617 00:11:36,870 --> 00:11:37,379: eyes, 1618 00:11:37,379 --> 00:11:37,860: slitted 1619 00:11:37,860 --> 00:11:38,039: like 1620 00:11:38,039 --> 00:11:38,129: a 1621 00:11:38,129 --> 00:11:38,611: cat’s 1622 00:11:38,611 --> 00:11:38,700: and 1623 00:11:38,700 --> 00:11:38,850: the 1624 00:11:38,850 --> 00:11:39,240: pure 1625 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:39,539: blue 1626 00:11:39,539 --> 00:11:39,690: of 1627 00:11:39,690 --> 00:11:40,710: azure, 1628 00:11:40,710 --> 00:11:41,190: pinned 1629 00:11:41,190 --> 00:11:41,759: the knight 1630 00:11:41,759 --> 00:11:41,909: where 1631 00:11:41,909 --> 00:11:42,029: he 1632 00:11:42,029 --> 00:11:43,559: sat.
Giving 1633 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:43,830: a 1634 00:11:43,830 --> 00:11:44,309: courtly 1635 00:11:44,309 --> 00:11:44,700: bow 1636 00:11:44,700 --> 00:11:44,970: from 1637 00:11:44,970 --> 00:11:45,360: atop 1638 00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:45,480: the 1639 00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:46,019: stone 1640 00:11:46,019 --> 00:11:46,470: the knight 1641 00:11:46,470 --> 00:11:46,830: offered 1642 00:11:46,830 --> 00:11:46,889: a 1643 00:11:46,889 --> 00:11:47,250: warm 1644 00:11:47,250 --> 00:11:48,690: smile. "I 1645 00:11:48,690 --> 00:11:48,840: am 1646 00:11:48,840 --> 00:11:49,980: Sir -”
"I 1647 00:11:49,980 --> 00:11:50,610: know 1648 00:11:50,610 --> 00:11:50,789: who 1649 00:11:50,789 --> 00:11:51,029: you 1650 00:11:51,029 --> 00:11:51,840: are!" 1651 00:11:51,840 --> 00:11:52,139: she 1652 00:11:52,139 --> 00:11:52,559: roared 1653 00:11:52,559 --> 00:11:53,250: again, 1654 00:11:53,250 --> 00:11:53,970: mantling 1655 00:11:53,970 --> 00:11:54,240: those 1656 00:11:54,240 --> 00:11:54,690: mighty 1657 00:11:54,690 --> 00:11:55,649: wings. 1658 00:11:55,649 --> 00:11:55,919: From 1659 00:11:55,919 --> 00:11:56,279: nose 1660 00:11:56,279 --> 00:11:56,490: tip 1661 00:11:56,490 --> 00:11:56,610: to 1662 00:11:56,610 --> 00:11:57,029: tail 1663 00:11:57,029 --> 00:11:57,240: she 1664 00:11:57,240 --> 00:11:57,480: was 1665 00:11:57,480 --> 00:11:57,809: four 1666 00:11:57,809 --> 00:11:57,870: or 1667 00:11:57,870 --> 00:11:58,200: five 1668 00:11:58,200 --> 00:11:58,529: horse 1669 00:11:58,529 --> 00:11:59,100: lengths, 1670 00:11:59,100 --> 00:11:59,399: those 1671 00:11:59,399 --> 00:11:59,940: wings 1672 00:11:59,940 --> 00:12:00,450: easily 1673 00:12:00,450 --> 00:12:01,440: six. 1674 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:01,740: Not 1675 00:12:01,740 --> 00:12:02,250: huge, 1676 00:12:02,250 --> 00:12:02,399: as 1677 00:12:02,399 --> 00:12:02,789: dragons 1678 00:12:02,789 --> 00:12:03,389: went, 1679 00:12:03,389 --> 00:12:03,629: but 1680 00:12:03,629 --> 00:12:03,990: not 1681 00:12:03,990 --> 00:12:04,529: small 1682 00:12:04,529 --> 00:12:04,620: in 1683 00:12:04,620 --> 00:12:04,679: the 1684 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:06,360: least. "Dragon 1685 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:07,470: scourge." 1686 00:12:07,470 --> 00:12:07,919: she 1687 00:12:07,919 --> 00:12:08,370: hissed 1688 00:12:08,370 --> 00:12:09,450: in wroth. "A 1689 00:12:09,450 --> 00:12:10,889: slayer who dons 1690 00:12:10,889 --> 00:12:11,009: the 1691 00:12:11,009 --> 00:12:15,269: hide of his slain!"
Sir Dirsche 1692 00:12:15,269 --> 00:12:15,570: looked 1693 00:12:15,570 --> 00:12:15,960: himself 1694 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:16,259: over 1695 00:12:16,259 --> 00:12:16,409: and 1696 00:12:16,409 --> 00:12:18,000: nodded. "Well, 1697 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:18,720: yes, 1698 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:18,870: I 1699 00:12:18,870 --> 00:12:19,019: am 1700 00:12:19,019 --> 00:12:20,009: that." 1701 00:12:20,009 --> 00:12:20,190: He 1702 00:12:20,190 --> 00:12:20,580: admitted 1703 00:12:20,580 --> 00:12:20,730: with 1704 00:12:20,730 --> 00:12:20,789: a 1705 00:12:20,789 --> 00:12:21,509: self-effacing 1706 00:12:21,509 --> 00:12:22,980: shrug. “As 1707 00:12:22,980 --> 00:12:23,129: I 1708 00:12:23,129 --> 00:12:23,340: know 1709 00:12:23,340 --> 00:12:23,879: you, 1710 00:12:23,879 --> 00:12:24,450: mistress 1711 00:12:24,450 --> 00:12:24,539: of 1712 00:12:24,539 --> 00:12:24,629: the 1713 00:12:24,629 --> 00:12:25,679: lake. 1714 00:12:25,679 --> 00:12:25,980: Rather 1715 00:12:25,980 --> 00:12:26,220: than 1716 00:12:26,220 --> 00:12:26,580: butcher 1717 00:12:26,580 --> 00:12:26,759: your 1718 00:12:26,759 --> 00:12:27,149: true 1719 00:12:27,149 --> 00:12:27,480: given 1720 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:27,659: name 1721 00:12:27,659 --> 00:12:27,840: with 1722 00:12:27,840 --> 00:12:28,049: my 1723 00:12:28,049 --> 00:12:28,649: woefully 1724 00:12:28,649 --> 00:12:29,100: inadequate 1725 00:12:29,100 --> 00:12:29,399: human 1726 00:12:29,399 --> 00:12:30,090: throat, 1727 00:12:30,090 --> 00:12:30,299: how 1728 00:12:30,299 --> 00:12:30,539: might 1729 00:12:30,539 --> 00:12:30,629: I 1730 00:12:30,629 --> 00:12:31,049: address 1731 00:12:31,049 --> 00:12:31,769: you? 1732 00:12:31,769 --> 00:12:31,919: The 1733 00:12:31,919 --> 00:12:32,490: locals, 1734 00:12:32,490 --> 00:12:32,610: I 1735 00:12:32,610 --> 00:12:32,759: am 1736 00:12:32,759 --> 00:12:33,149: learned, 1737 00:12:33,149 --> 00:12:33,509: often 1738 00:12:33,509 --> 00:12:33,779: call 1739 00:12:33,779 --> 00:12:34,019: you 1740 00:12:34,019 --> 00:12:36,179: Jade.”
Not 1741 00:12:36,179 --> 00:12:36,960: mollified 1742 00:12:36,960 --> 00:12:37,080: by 1743 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:37,289: his 1744 00:12:37,289 --> 00:12:37,620: civil 1745 00:12:37,620 --> 00:12:38,009: tone 1746 00:12:38,009 --> 00:12:38,190: and 1747 00:12:38,190 --> 00:12:38,759: unthreatening 1748 00:12:38,759 --> 00:12:39,600: posture 1749 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:39,748: the 1750 00:12:39,748 --> 00:12:40,230: dragon 1751 00:12:40,230 --> 00:12:40,860: loomed 1752 00:12:40,860 --> 00:12:41,009: and 1753 00:12:41,009 --> 00:12:42,480: glared. “And 1754 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:42,960: why 1755 00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:43,379: come 1756 00:12:43,379 --> 00:12:45,059: you, scourge? 1757 00:12:45,059 --> 00:12:45,360: To 1758 00:12:45,360 --> 00:12:45,750: add 1759 00:12:45,750 --> 00:12:45,929: yet 1760 00:12:45,929 --> 00:12:46,320: another 1761 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:46,799: hue 1762 00:12:46,799 --> 00:12:46,950: to 1763 00:12:46,950 --> 00:12:47,220: your 1764 00:12:47,220 --> 00:12:47,730: vile 1765 00:12:47,730 --> 00:12:48,929: plumage?” 1766 00:12:48,929 --> 00:12:49,200: She 1767 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:50,009: growled, 1768 00:12:50,009 --> 00:12:50,610: shuddering 1769 00:12:50,610 --> 00:12:50,850: the 1770 00:12:50,850 --> 00:12:51,149: earth 1771 00:12:51,149 --> 00:12:51,509: beneath 1772 00:12:51,509 --> 00:12:51,690: her 1773 00:12:51,690 --> 00:12:52,259: daunting 1774 00:12:52,259 --> 00:12:52,740: form 1775 00:12:52,740 --> 00:12:53,190: poised 1776 00:12:53,190 --> 00:12:53,250: to 1777 00:12:53,250 --> 00:12:54,690: strike.
The 1778 00:12:54,690 --> 00:12:54,960: knight 1779 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:55,230: shook 1780 00:12:55,230 --> 00:12:55,350: his 1781 00:12:55,350 --> 00:12:55,649: head 1782 00:12:55,649 --> 00:12:57,509: slowly, “Nay, 1783 00:12:57,509 --> 00:12:57,899: mistress 1784 00:12:57,899 --> 00:12:57,990: of 1785 00:12:57,990 --> 00:12:58,080: the 1786 00:12:58,080 --> 00:12:58,620: lake. 1787 00:12:58,620 --> 00:12:58,830: I 1788 00:12:58,830 --> 00:12:59,070: came 1789 00:12:59,070 --> 00:12:59,190: to 1790 00:12:59,190 --> 00:12:59,820: bargain, 1791 00:12:59,820 --> 00:13:00,090: and to 1792 00:13:00,090 --> 00:13:00,360: offer 1793 00:13:00,360 --> 00:13:00,419: a 1794 00:13:00,419 --> 00:13:00,870: story, 1795 00:13:00,870 --> 00:13:01,019: as 1796 00:13:01,019 --> 00:13:01,110: the 1797 00:13:01,110 --> 00:13:01,440: local 1798 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:01,769: village 1799 00:13:01,769 --> 00:13:02,039: folk 1800 00:13:02,039 --> 00:13:02,190: do 1801 00:13:02,190 --> 00:13:02,340: when 1802 00:13:02,340 --> 00:13:02,490: they 1803 00:13:02,490 --> 00:13:03,870: visit.”
The 1804 00:13:03,870 --> 00:13:04,559: dragon’s 1805 00:13:04,559 --> 00:13:05,039: angular 1806 00:13:05,039 --> 00:13:05,429: head 1807 00:13:05,429 --> 00:13:06,120: tilted 1808 00:13:06,120 --> 00:13:07,440: slightly, 1809 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:09,090: untrusting. “To 1810 00:13:09,090 --> 00:13:09,600: bargain 1811 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:09,779: with 1812 00:13:09,779 --> 00:13:09,840: a 1813 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:10,769: story? 1814 00:13:10,769 --> 00:13:10,980: In 1815 00:13:10,980 --> 00:13:12,149: full caparison 1816 00:13:12,149 --> 00:13:12,240: of 1817 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:12,389: my 1818 00:13:12,389 --> 00:13:12,990: slaughtered 1819 00:13:12,990 --> 00:13:13,679: kin? 1820 00:13:13,679 --> 00:13:13,889: Do 1821 00:13:13,889 --> 00:13:14,070: you 1822 00:13:14,070 --> 00:13:14,399: take 1823 00:13:14,399 --> 00:13:15,149: me a fool, 1824 00:13:15,149 --> 00:13:15,779: scourge? 1825 00:13:15,779 --> 00:13:17,070: You’ll not 1826 00:13:17,070 --> 00:13:17,399: have 1827 00:13:17,399 --> 00:13:17,639: my 1828 00:13:17,639 --> 00:13:18,090: hide 1829 00:13:18,090 --> 00:13:18,389: this 1830 00:13:18,389 --> 00:13:18,750: day, 1831 00:13:18,750 --> 00:13:19,139: unless 1832 00:13:19,139 --> 00:13:19,320: you 1833 00:13:19,320 --> 00:13:20,100: breathe 1834 00:13:20,100 --> 00:13:20,340: as 1835 00:13:20,340 --> 00:13:20,399: a 1836 00:13:20,399 --> 00:13:20,940: fish 1837 00:13:20,940 --> 00:13:23,009: does!”
Dirsche 1838 00:13:23,009 --> 00:13:23,580: nodded 1839 00:13:23,580 --> 00:13:23,759: and 1840 00:13:23,759 --> 00:13:24,269: glanced 1841 00:13:24,269 --> 00:13:24,659: down 1842 00:13:24,659 --> 00:13:24,870: at 1843 00:13:24,870 --> 00:13:25,019: his 1844 00:13:25,019 --> 00:13:25,409: dragon 1845 00:13:25,409 --> 00:13:26,009: gauntleted 1846 00:13:26,009 --> 00:13:27,480: hands. “I 1847 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:27,690: fear 1848 00:13:27,690 --> 00:13:27,840: you 1849 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:27,960: are 1850 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:28,500: most 1851 00:13:28,500 --> 00:13:28,889: observant 1852 00:13:28,889 --> 00:13:29,700: and no fool, 1853 00:13:29,700 --> 00:13:29,970: mighty 1854 00:13:29,970 --> 00:13:30,330: mistress 1855 00:13:30,330 --> 00:13:30,389: of 1856 00:13:30,389 --> 00:13:30,480: the 1857 00:13:30,480 --> 00:13:31,200: lake. 1858 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:31,559: Nor 1859 00:13:31,559 --> 00:13:31,710: am 1860 00:13:31,710 --> 00:13:32,519: I. 1861 00:13:32,519 --> 00:13:32,820: One 1862 00:13:32,820 --> 00:13:33,000: does 1863 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:33,210: not 1864 00:13:33,210 --> 00:13:33,600: brace 1865 00:13:33,600 --> 00:13:33,659: a 1866 00:13:33,659 --> 00:13:34,139: dragon 1867 00:13:34,139 --> 00:13:34,230: at 1868 00:13:34,230 --> 00:13:34,320: the 1869 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:34,799: lintel 1870 00:13:34,799 --> 00:13:34,889: of 1871 00:13:34,889 --> 00:13:35,039: their 1872 00:13:35,039 --> 00:13:35,340: lair 1873 00:13:35,340 --> 00:13:37,320: with, 1874 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:37,950: ahem, ‘cloacally 1875 00:13:37,950 --> 00:13:38,519: spawned’ 1876 00:13:38,519 --> 00:13:39,360: music 1877 00:13:39,360 --> 00:13:39,779: without 1878 00:13:39,779 --> 00:13:40,289: expecting 1879 00:13:40,289 --> 00:13:40,350: a 1880 00:13:40,350 --> 00:13:40,769: less 1881 00:13:40,769 --> 00:13:41,250: vocal 1882 00:13:41,250 --> 00:13:41,370: and 1883 00:13:41,370 --> 00:13:41,639: more 1884 00:13:41,639 --> 00:13:42,179: violent 1885 00:13:42,179 --> 00:13:43,799: greeting.”
Azure 1886 00:13:43,799 --> 00:13:44,340: eyes 1887 00:13:44,340 --> 00:13:45,149: narrowed, 1888 00:13:45,149 --> 00:13:45,870: cat-like 1889 00:13:45,870 --> 00:13:46,409: pupils 1890 00:13:46,409 --> 00:13:47,070: widening 1891 00:13:47,070 --> 00:13:48,629: slightly, “Then 1892 00:13:48,629 --> 00:13:49,230: why 1893 00:13:49,230 --> 00:13:49,440: have 1894 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:49,649: you 1895 00:13:49,649 --> 00:13:50,460: disturbed 1896 00:13:50,460 --> 00:13:50,639: me 1897 00:13:50,639 --> 00:13:50,850: with 1898 00:13:50,850 --> 00:13:51,120: your 1899 00:13:51,120 --> 00:13:52,019: annoying 1900 00:13:52,019 --> 00:13:53,279: shrill?” 1901 00:13:53,279 --> 00:13:53,610: She 1902 00:13:53,610 --> 00:13:54,269: coughed 1903 00:13:54,269 --> 00:13:54,330: a 1904 00:13:54,330 --> 00:13:55,110: furious 1905 00:13:55,110 --> 00:13:57,059: growl.
“As 1906 00:13:57,059 --> 00:13:57,149: I 1907 00:13:57,149 --> 00:13:58,049: said, 1908 00:13:58,049 --> 00:13:58,200: to 1909 00:13:58,200 --> 00:13:58,529: share 1910 00:13:58,529 --> 00:13:58,590: a 1911 00:13:58,590 --> 00:13:59,070: story 1912 00:13:59,070 --> 00:13:59,789: and, 1913 00:13:59,789 --> 00:14:01,049: perchance, 1914 00:14:01,049 --> 00:14:01,379: enter 1915 00:14:01,379 --> 00:14:01,620: into 1916 00:14:01,620 --> 00:14:01,679: a 1917 00:14:01,679 --> 00:14:03,990: bargain.”
“What 1918 00:14:03,990 --> 00:14:05,820: bargain?”
“In 1919 00:14:05,820 --> 00:14:06,029: due 1920 00:14:06,029 --> 00:14:06,480: time, 1921 00:14:06,480 --> 00:14:06,750: great 1922 00:14:06,750 --> 00:14:07,559: one. 1923 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:07,769: If 1924 00:14:07,769 --> 00:14:07,889: I 1925 00:14:07,889 --> 00:14:08,100: might 1926 00:14:08,100 --> 00:14:08,340: ask 1927 00:14:08,340 --> 00:14:08,490: one 1928 00:14:08,490 --> 00:14:09,509: question? 1929 00:14:09,509 --> 00:14:09,750: Have 1930 00:14:09,750 --> 00:14:09,960: you 1931 00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:10,559: mastered 1932 00:14:10,559 --> 00:14:10,740: the 1933 00:14:10,740 --> 00:14:11,039: art 1934 00:14:11,039 --> 00:14:11,159: of 1935 00:14:11,159 --> 00:14:11,610: draconic 1936 00:14:11,610 --> 00:14:13,470: shapeshifting?”
Gaze 1937 00:14:13,470 --> 00:14:13,980: hardening 1938 00:14:13,980 --> 00:14:14,100: the 1939 00:14:14,100 --> 00:14:14,669: dragoness 1940 00:14:14,669 --> 00:14:15,299: snorted 1941 00:14:15,299 --> 00:14:15,360: a 1942 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:15,870: plume 1943 00:14:15,870 --> 00:14:15,990: of 1944 00:14:15,990 --> 00:14:16,470: steam 1945 00:14:16,470 --> 00:14:16,620: from 1946 00:14:16,620 --> 00:14:16,799: her 1947 00:14:16,799 --> 00:14:17,190: narrow 1948 00:14:17,190 --> 00:14:19,769: nostrils. “Of course.” 1949 00:14:19,769 --> 00:14:20,009: she 1950 00:14:20,009 --> 00:14:20,580: snarled 1951 00:14:20,580 --> 00:14:21,931: dubiously. “No 1952 00:14:21,931 --> 00:14:22,350: dragon 1953 00:14:22,350 --> 00:14:22,889: ventures 1954 00:14:22,889 --> 00:14:23,009: from 1955 00:14:23,009 --> 00:14:23,100: the 1956 00:14:23,100 --> 00:14:23,429: lair 1957 00:14:23,429 --> 00:14:23,549: of 1958 00:14:23,549 --> 00:14:23,730: its 1959 00:14:23,730 --> 00:14:24,179: parents 1960 00:14:24,179 --> 00:14:24,389: that 1961 00:14:24,389 --> 00:14:24,720: cannot 1962 00:14:24,720 --> 00:14:25,080: assume 1963 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:25,139: a 1964 00:14:25,139 --> 00:14:25,409: less 1965 00:14:25,409 --> 00:14:26,039: conspicuous 1966 00:14:26,039 --> 00:14:28,320: form.”
“Magnificent, 1967 00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:28,559: you 1968 00:14:28,559 --> 00:14:29,159: are.” 1969 00:14:29,159 --> 00:14:29,797: Sir Dirsche 1970 00:14:29,797 --> 00:14:30,149: clapped 1971 00:14:30,149 --> 00:14:30,779: his gauntleted 1972 00:14:30,779 --> 00:14:31,080: hands 1973 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:32,340: once. “If 1974 00:14:32,340 --> 00:14:32,429: you 1975 00:14:32,429 --> 00:14:32,850: may, 1976 00:14:32,850 --> 00:14:33,179: great 1977 00:14:33,179 --> 00:14:34,259: mistress, 1978 00:14:34,259 --> 00:14:34,352: a 1979 00:14:34,352 --> 00:14:36,360: display?”
The 1980 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:36,960: large 1981 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:37,350: head 1982 00:14:37,350 --> 00:14:37,620: drew 1983 00:14:37,620 --> 00:14:37,919: back 1984 00:14:37,919 --> 00:14:38,580: slightly 1985 00:14:38,580 --> 00:14:38,700: in 1986 00:14:38,700 --> 00:14:39,960: distrust. “That 1987 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:40,049: you 1988 00:14:40,049 --> 00:14:40,230: may 1989 00:14:40,230 --> 00:14:40,409: cut 1990 00:14:40,409 --> 00:14:40,559: me 1991 00:14:40,559 --> 00:14:41,039: down 1992 00:14:41,039 --> 00:14:41,190: in 1993 00:14:41,190 --> 00:14:41,549: some 1994 00:14:41,549 --> 00:14:41,850: weak 1995 00:14:41,850 --> 00:14:43,230: form? 1996 00:14:43,230 --> 00:14:44,580: No.” 1997 00:14:44,580 --> 00:14:44,759: Her 1998 00:14:44,759 --> 00:14:45,509: snarl 1999 00:14:45,509 --> 00:14:45,840: showed 2000 00:14:45,840 --> 00:14:45,899: a 2001 00:14:45,899 --> 00:14:46,799: distressing 2002 00:14:46,799 --> 00:14:47,220: array 2003 00:14:47,220 --> 00:14:47,370: of 2004 00:14:47,370 --> 00:14:48,000: gleaming 2005 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:48,509: ivory 2006 00:14:48,509 --> 00:14:49,889: points. “You 2007 00:14:49,889 --> 00:14:50,490: presume 2008 00:14:50,490 --> 00:14:51,029: far 2009 00:14:51,029 --> 00:14:51,330: too 2010 00:14:51,330 --> 00:14:51,809: much, 2011 00:14:51,809 --> 00:14:54,210: scourge.”
The knight 2012 00:14:54,210 --> 00:14:54,840: conceded 2013 00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:54,960: the 2014 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:55,350: point 2015 00:14:55,350 --> 00:14:55,500: with 2016 00:14:55,500 --> 00:14:55,559: a 2017 00:14:55,559 --> 00:14:56,129: rolling 2018 00:14:56,129 --> 00:14:56,460: wave 2019 00:14:56,460 --> 00:14:56,580: of 2020 00:14:56,580 --> 00:14:56,820: one 2021 00:14:56,820 --> 00:14:57,990: hand. “I 2022 00:14:57,990 --> 00:14:58,169: have 2023 00:14:58,169 --> 00:14:58,409: not 2024 00:14:58,409 --> 00:14:58,649: taken 2025 00:14:58,649 --> 00:14:58,740: up 2026 00:14:58,740 --> 00:14:58,889: my 2027 00:14:58,889 --> 00:14:59,250: sword, 2028 00:14:59,250 --> 00:15:00,090: mistress, 2029 00:15:00,090 --> 00:15:00,360: nor 2030 00:15:00,360 --> 00:15:00,720: shall 2031 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:01,440: I. 2032 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:01,590: I 2033 00:15:01,590 --> 00:15:01,980: merely 2034 00:15:01,980 --> 00:15:02,279: wish 2035 00:15:02,279 --> 00:15:02,340: to 2036 00:15:02,340 --> 00:15:02,519: see 2037 00:15:02,519 --> 00:15:02,700: you 2038 00:15:02,700 --> 00:15:03,269: change, 2039 00:15:03,269 --> 00:15:03,389: the 2040 00:15:03,389 --> 00:15:03,840: manner 2041 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:04,019: would 2042 00:15:04,019 --> 00:15:04,169: be 2043 00:15:04,169 --> 00:15:04,769: entirely 2044 00:15:04,769 --> 00:15:04,980: your 2045 00:15:04,980 --> 00:15:07,830: choice.”
“Why?” 2046 00:15:07,830 --> 00:15:08,009: Though 2047 00:15:08,009 --> 00:15:08,309: not 2048 00:15:08,309 --> 00:15:08,399: the 2049 00:15:08,399 --> 00:15:08,940: previous 2050 00:15:08,940 --> 00:15:09,480: teakettle 2051 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:09,960: shriek 2052 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:10,110: or 2053 00:15:10,110 --> 00:15:10,649: coughing 2054 00:15:10,649 --> 00:15:11,490: snarl 2055 00:15:11,490 --> 00:15:11,669: her 2056 00:15:11,669 --> 00:15:12,120: voice 2057 00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:12,750: still 2058 00:15:12,750 --> 00:15:13,440: growled 2059 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:13,649: with 2060 00:15:13,649 --> 00:15:15,690: irritation.
“Surety, 2061 00:15:15,690 --> 00:15:16,470: mistress. 2062 00:15:16,470 --> 00:15:16,679: A 2063 00:15:16,679 --> 00:15:17,250: formality, 2064 00:15:17,250 --> 00:15:17,669: only, 2065 00:15:17,669 --> 00:15:18,210: before 2066 00:15:18,210 --> 00:15:18,330: I 2067 00:15:18,330 --> 00:15:18,720: continue with 2068 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:18,899: my 2069 00:15:18,899 --> 00:15:21,000: parlay.”
“And 2070 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:21,240: if 2071 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:21,450: I 2072 00:15:21,450 --> 00:15:23,159: refuse?”
“Then 2073 00:15:23,159 --> 00:15:23,250: I 2074 00:15:23,250 --> 00:15:23,490: shall 2075 00:15:23,490 --> 00:15:23,850: leave, 2076 00:15:23,850 --> 00:15:24,450: peacefully, 2077 00:15:24,450 --> 00:15:24,600: and 2078 00:15:24,600 --> 00:15:24,960: speak 2079 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:25,230: naught 2080 00:15:25,230 --> 00:15:25,320: of 2081 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:25,440: our 2082 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:25,950: parlay, 2083 00:15:25,950 --> 00:15:26,309: or 2084 00:15:26,309 --> 00:15:26,549: this 2085 00:15:26,549 --> 00:15:27,179: place, 2086 00:15:27,179 --> 00:15:27,450: to 2087 00:15:27,450 --> 00:15:27,690: any 2088 00:15:27,690 --> 00:15:28,769: other.” 2089 00:15:28,769 --> 00:15:28,889: He 2090 00:15:28,889 --> 00:15:29,370: replied 2091 00:15:29,370 --> 00:15:30,210: succinctly, 2092 00:15:30,210 --> 00:15:30,870: still 2093 00:15:30,870 --> 00:15:31,440: unmoving 2094 00:15:31,440 --> 00:15:31,620: from 2095 00:15:31,620 --> 00:15:31,710: his 2096 00:15:31,710 --> 00:15:32,009: stone 2097 00:15:32,009 --> 00:15:32,700: perch, 2098 00:15:32,700 --> 00:15:33,149: hands 2099 00:15:33,149 --> 00:15:33,750: clasped 2100 00:15:33,750 --> 00:15:34,080: upon 2101 00:15:34,080 --> 00:15:34,289: his 2102 00:15:34,289 --> 00:15:34,559: knee 2103 00:15:34,559 --> 00:15:34,679: with 2104 00:15:34,679 --> 00:15:35,190: complete 2105 00:15:35,190 --> 00:15:35,669: aplomb 2106 00:15:35,669 --> 00:15:36,090: despite 2107 00:15:36,090 --> 00:15:36,480: bracing 2108 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:36,539: a 2109 00:15:36,539 --> 00:15:38,820: dragon. “Or, 2110 00:15:38,820 --> 00:15:39,570: perhaps, 2111 00:15:39,570 --> 00:15:40,080: continue 2112 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:40,289: my 2113 00:15:40,289 --> 00:15:42,029: serenade.”
The 2114 00:15:42,029 --> 00:15:42,690: dragon’s 2115 00:15:42,690 --> 00:15:43,350: ear-frills 2116 00:15:43,350 --> 00:15:44,070: rose 2117 00:15:44,070 --> 00:15:44,159: in 2118 00:15:44,159 --> 00:15:44,789: surprise 2119 00:15:44,789 --> 00:15:45,179: before 2120 00:15:45,179 --> 00:15:45,691: backing 2121 00:15:45,691 --> 00:15:45,779: in 2122 00:15:45,779 --> 00:15:47,220: disgust. “I 2123 00:15:47,220 --> 00:15:47,549: should 2124 00:15:47,549 --> 00:15:47,820: eat 2125 00:15:47,820 --> 00:15:47,940: you 2126 00:15:47,940 --> 00:15:48,149: for 2127 00:15:48,149 --> 00:15:48,389: that 2128 00:15:48,389 --> 00:15:49,470: alone! 2129 00:15:49,470 --> 00:15:49,649: If 2130 00:15:49,649 --> 00:15:49,769: the 2131 00:15:49,769 --> 00:15:50,299: taste 2132 00:15:50,299 --> 00:15:50,429: would 2133 00:15:50,429 --> 00:15:50,610: not 2134 00:15:50,610 --> 00:15:51,179: sour 2135 00:15:51,179 --> 00:15:51,419: my 2136 00:15:51,419 --> 00:15:51,690: gut 2137 00:15:51,690 --> 00:15:51,809: and 2138 00:15:51,809 --> 00:15:52,379: reverse 2139 00:15:52,379 --> 00:15:52,679: my 2140 00:15:52,679 --> 00:15:53,639: gorge.” 2141 00:15:53,639 --> 00:15:53,970: She 2142 00:15:53,970 --> 00:15:54,509: glared 2143 00:15:54,509 --> 00:15:54,840: down 2144 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:54,960: at 2145 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:55,230: him 2146 00:15:55,230 --> 00:15:55,889: unmoving 2147 00:15:55,889 --> 00:15:56,279: upon 2148 00:15:56,279 --> 00:15:56,460: his 2149 00:15:56,460 --> 00:15:56,730: seat 2150 00:15:56,730 --> 00:15:56,850: of 2151 00:15:56,850 --> 00:15:57,629: stone, 2152 00:15:57,629 --> 00:15:58,139: sword 2153 00:15:58,139 --> 00:15:58,259: and 2154 00:15:58,259 --> 00:15:58,769: recorder 2155 00:15:58,769 --> 00:15:59,190: both 2156 00:15:59,190 --> 00:15:59,580: within 2157 00:15:59,580 --> 00:15:59,940: easy 2158 00:15:59,940 --> 00:16:01,080: reach. 2159 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:01,950: Indeed, 2160 00:16:01,950 --> 00:16:02,100: the 2161 00:16:02,100 --> 00:16:02,399: toe 2162 00:16:02,399 --> 00:16:02,519: of 2163 00:16:02,519 --> 00:16:02,639: his 2164 00:16:02,639 --> 00:16:03,330: sabbaton 2165 00:16:03,330 --> 00:16:03,840: tapped 2166 00:16:03,840 --> 00:16:04,230: lightly 2167 00:16:04,230 --> 00:16:04,320: at 2168 00:16:04,320 --> 00:16:04,440: the 2169 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:04,799: butt 2170 00:16:04,799 --> 00:16:04,889: of 2171 00:16:04,889 --> 00:16:05,009: the 2172 00:16:05,009 --> 00:16:05,610: sheathed 2173 00:16:05,610 --> 00:16:06,090: weapon 2174 00:16:06,090 --> 00:16:06,480: leaning 2175 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:06,840: against 2176 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:06,899: the 2177 00:16:06,899 --> 00:16:08,909: stone. “Oh, 2178 00:16:08,909 --> 00:16:09,480: very 2179 00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:10,019: well, 2180 00:16:10,019 --> 00:16:10,259: if 2181 00:16:10,259 --> 00:16:10,409: it 2182 00:16:10,409 --> 00:16:10,649: will 2183 00:16:10,649 --> 00:16:11,009: bring 2184 00:16:11,009 --> 00:16:11,190: you 2185 00:16:11,190 --> 00:16:11,340: to 2186 00:16:11,340 --> 00:16:11,970: vacate 2187 00:16:11,970 --> 00:16:12,269: all 2188 00:16:12,269 --> 00:16:12,389: the 2189 00:16:12,389 --> 00:16:12,659: more 2190 00:16:12,659 --> 00:16:14,220: swiftly.”
With 2191 00:16:14,220 --> 00:16:14,279: a 2192 00:16:14,279 --> 00:16:14,940: long 2193 00:16:14,940 --> 00:16:15,570: suffering 2194 00:16:15,570 --> 00:16:16,080: sigh 2195 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:16,230: the 2196 00:16:16,230 --> 00:16:16,919: dragoness 2197 00:16:16,919 --> 00:16:17,490: raised 2198 00:16:17,490 --> 00:16:17,789: one 2199 00:16:17,789 --> 00:16:18,419: stout 2200 00:16:18,419 --> 00:16:18,990: foreleg and 2201 00:16:18,990 --> 00:16:19,500: extended 2202 00:16:19,500 --> 00:16:20,789: it,flexing 2203 00:16:20,789 --> 00:16:20,940: the 2204 00:16:20,940 --> 00:16:21,419: deadly, 2205 00:16:21,419 --> 00:16:21,870: clawed 2206 00:16:21,870 --> 00:16:22,830: foot. 2207 00:16:22,830 --> 00:16:23,309: Typical 2208 00:16:23,309 --> 00:16:23,399: of 2209 00:16:23,399 --> 00:16:24,029: dragons 2210 00:16:24,029 --> 00:16:24,149: it 2211 00:16:24,149 --> 00:16:24,450: had 2212 00:16:24,450 --> 00:16:24,779: three 2213 00:16:24,779 --> 00:16:25,259: forward 2214 00:16:25,259 --> 00:16:25,740: toes 2215 00:16:25,740 --> 00:16:25,860: and 2216 00:16:25,860 --> 00:16:26,549: one, 2217 00:16:26,549 --> 00:16:27,269: opposable, 2218 00:16:27,269 --> 00:16:27,389: to 2219 00:16:27,389 --> 00:16:27,539: the 2220 00:16:27,539 --> 00:16:28,649: rear. 2221 00:16:28,649 --> 00:16:28,889: When 2222 00:16:28,889 --> 00:16:29,100: his 2223 00:16:29,100 --> 00:16:29,490: gaze 2224 00:16:29,490 --> 00:16:30,059: shifted 2225 00:16:30,059 --> 00:16:30,240: to 2226 00:16:30,240 --> 00:16:30,419: it 2227 00:16:30,419 --> 00:16:30,659: she 2228 00:16:30,659 --> 00:16:30,870: gave 2229 00:16:30,870 --> 00:16:30,929: a 2230 00:16:30,929 --> 00:16:31,200: quick 2231 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:31,649: shake 2232 00:16:31,649 --> 00:16:32,340: and, 2233 00:16:32,340 --> 00:16:32,549: too 2234 00:16:32,549 --> 00:16:33,000: quickly 2235 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:33,179: for 2236 00:16:33,179 --> 00:16:33,360: his 2237 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:33,600: eyes 2238 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:33,690: to 2239 00:16:33,690 --> 00:16:34,230: follow, 2240 00:16:34,230 --> 00:16:34,409: it 2241 00:16:34,409 --> 00:16:34,529: was 2242 00:16:34,529 --> 00:16:34,590: a 2243 00:16:34,590 --> 00:16:35,519: hoof. 2244 00:16:35,519 --> 00:16:35,909: Another 2245 00:16:35,909 --> 00:16:36,299: shake 2246 00:16:36,299 --> 00:16:36,419: and 2247 00:16:36,419 --> 00:16:36,509: it 2248 00:16:36,509 --> 00:16:36,629: was 2249 00:16:36,629 --> 00:16:36,690: a 2250 00:16:36,690 --> 00:16:37,470: massive 2251 00:16:37,470 --> 00:16:38,159: paw, 2252 00:16:38,159 --> 00:16:39,090: diminutive 2253 00:16:39,090 --> 00:16:39,509: upon 2254 00:16:39,509 --> 00:16:39,629: the 2255 00:16:39,629 --> 00:16:39,840: end 2256 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:39,899: of 2257 00:16:39,899 --> 00:16:40,049: her 2258 00:16:40,049 --> 00:16:40,320: great 2259 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:40,889: foreleg, 2260 00:16:40,889 --> 00:16:41,070: like 2261 00:16:41,070 --> 00:16:41,129: a 2262 00:16:41,129 --> 00:16:42,269: bear’s. 2263 00:16:42,269 --> 00:16:42,480: With 2264 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:42,539: a 2265 00:16:42,539 --> 00:16:42,899: third 2266 00:16:42,899 --> 00:16:43,379: shake 2267 00:16:43,379 --> 00:16:43,529: it 2268 00:16:43,529 --> 00:16:43,679: was 2269 00:16:43,679 --> 00:16:43,740: a 2270 00:16:43,740 --> 00:16:44,370: silvery 2271 00:16:44,370 --> 00:16:44,700: white 2272 00:16:44,700 --> 00:16:45,240: gauntlet 2273 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:45,899: identical 2274 00:16:45,899 --> 00:16:45,990: to 2275 00:16:45,990 --> 00:16:47,820: Dirsche’s own.
Throughout the 2276 00:16:47,820 --> 00:16:48,330: display 2277 00:16:48,330 --> 00:16:48,779: the knight 2278 00:16:48,779 --> 00:16:48,929: had 2279 00:16:48,929 --> 00:16:49,169: not 2280 00:16:49,169 --> 00:16:49,649: moved 2281 00:16:49,649 --> 00:16:49,889: other 2282 00:16:49,889 --> 00:16:50,039: than 2283 00:16:50,039 --> 00:16:50,129: to 2284 00:16:50,129 --> 00:16:50,519: nod 2285 00:16:50,519 --> 00:16:52,769: approvingly. “Amazing. 2286 00:16:52,769 --> 00:16:53,429: Impressive. 2287 00:16:53,429 --> 00:16:53,669: I’ve 2288 00:16:53,669 --> 00:16:53,970: never 2289 00:16:53,970 --> 00:16:54,450: encountered 2290 00:16:54,450 --> 00:16:54,509: a 2291 00:16:54,509 --> 00:16:54,870: dragon 2292 00:16:54,870 --> 00:16:54,990: who 2293 00:16:54,990 --> 00:16:55,139: had 2294 00:16:55,139 --> 00:16:55,379: such 2295 00:16:55,379 --> 00:16:56,460: control. 2296 00:16:56,460 --> 00:16:56,970: Usually 2297 00:16:56,970 --> 00:16:57,240: it’s 2298 00:16:57,240 --> 00:16:57,690: everything 2299 00:16:57,690 --> 00:16:57,779: or 2300 00:16:57,779 --> 00:16:59,250: nothing.”
“Such 2301 00:16:59,250 --> 00:16:59,789: control 2302 00:16:59,789 --> 00:17:00,000: is 2303 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:00,419: common 2304 00:17:00,419 --> 00:17:00,600: for 2305 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:00,809: my 2306 00:17:00,809 --> 00:17:01,529: line, 2307 00:17:01,529 --> 00:17:01,710: and 2308 00:17:01,710 --> 00:17:01,919: I 2309 00:17:01,919 --> 00:17:02,129: have 2310 00:17:02,129 --> 00:17:02,490: proven 2311 00:17:02,490 --> 00:17:02,850: more 2312 00:17:02,850 --> 00:17:03,210: adept 2313 00:17:03,210 --> 00:17:03,299: at 2314 00:17:03,299 --> 00:17:03,389: the 2315 00:17:03,389 --> 00:17:03,899: ability 2316 00:17:03,899 --> 00:17:04,140: than 2317 00:17:04,140 --> 00:17:04,470: most 2318 00:17:04,470 --> 00:17:04,890: even 2319 00:17:04,890 --> 00:17:05,940: then.” 2320 00:17:05,940 --> 00:17:06,269: She 2321 00:17:06,269 --> 00:17:06,869: boasted 2322 00:17:06,869 --> 00:17:07,019: with 2323 00:17:07,019 --> 00:17:07,500: draconic 2324 00:17:07,500 --> 00:17:08,309: pride, 2325 00:17:08,309 --> 00:17:08,789: another 2326 00:17:08,789 --> 00:17:09,150: common 2327 00:17:09,150 --> 00:17:11,400: vice. “Again, 2328 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:11,819: why 2329 00:17:11,819 --> 00:17:11,940: do 2330 00:17:11,940 --> 00:17:12,106: you 2331 00:17:12,106 --> 00:17:13,319: ask?” 2332 00:17:13,319 --> 00:17:13,829: Somewhat 2333 00:17:13,829 --> 00:17:14,430: mollified 2334 00:17:14,430 --> 00:17:14,579: by 2335 00:17:14,579 --> 00:17:14,700: the 2336 00:17:14,700 --> 00:17:15,150: strange 2337 00:17:15,150 --> 00:17:15,539: seeming 2338 00:17:15,539 --> 00:17:15,900: peace 2339 00:17:15,900 --> 00:17:15,990: of 2340 00:17:15,990 --> 00:17:16,140: his 2341 00:17:16,140 --> 00:17:16,890: presence 2342 00:17:16,890 --> 00:17:17,039: her 2343 00:17:17,039 --> 00:17:17,490: voice 2344 00:17:17,490 --> 00:17:18,089: calmed 2345 00:17:18,089 --> 00:17:18,269: to 2346 00:17:18,269 --> 00:17:18,329: a 2347 00:17:18,329 --> 00:17:18,930: mellow, 2348 00:17:18,930 --> 00:17:19,500: rolling 2349 00:17:19,500 --> 00:17:20,339: rumble 2350 00:17:20,339 --> 00:17:21,000: passibly 2351 00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:21,509: pleasing 2352 00:17:21,509 --> 00:17:21,630: to 2353 00:17:21,630 --> 00:17:21,720: the 2354 00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:23,190: ear.
“Are 2355 00:17:23,190 --> 00:17:23,339: you 2356 00:17:23,339 --> 00:17:23,759: familiar 2357 00:17:23,759 --> 00:17:23,880: with 2358 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:24,150: King 2359 00:17:24,150 --> 00:17:24,779: Arso, 2360 00:17:24,779 --> 00:17:25,019: who 2361 00:17:25,019 --> 00:17:25,589: rules 2362 00:17:25,589 --> 00:17:25,710: the 2363 00:17:25,710 --> 00:17:26,039: land 2364 00:17:26,039 --> 00:17:26,160: of 2365 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:26,640: Amyre, 2366 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:26,849: which 2367 00:17:26,849 --> 00:17:27,660: encompasses 2368 00:17:27,660 --> 00:17:27,990: these 2369 00:17:27,990 --> 00:17:28,500: mountains 2370 00:17:28,500 --> 00:17:28,799: within 2371 00:17:28,799 --> 00:17:30,210: its demesne?”
The 2372 00:17:30,210 --> 00:17:30,809: dragoness 2373 00:17:30,809 --> 00:17:31,319: nodded 2374 00:17:31,319 --> 00:17:31,470: her 2375 00:17:31,470 --> 00:17:31,859: great 2376 00:17:31,859 --> 00:17:32,226: head 2377 00:17:32,226 --> 00:17:33,450: slowly. “By 2378 00:17:33,450 --> 00:17:33,839: name 2379 00:17:33,839 --> 00:17:34,380: and deed, 2380 00:17:34,380 --> 00:17:34,529: if 2381 00:17:34,529 --> 00:17:34,799: not 2382 00:17:34,799 --> 00:17:35,009: his 2383 00:17:35,009 --> 00:17:35,849: person. 2384 00:17:35,849 --> 00:17:35,970: He 2385 00:17:35,970 --> 00:17:36,119: is 2386 00:17:36,119 --> 00:17:36,359: not 2387 00:17:36,359 --> 00:17:36,539: one 2388 00:17:36,539 --> 00:17:36,660: who 2389 00:17:36,660 --> 00:17:37,259: champions 2390 00:17:37,259 --> 00:17:37,349: the 2391 00:17:37,349 --> 00:17:37,859: slaying 2392 00:17:37,859 --> 00:17:37,980: of 2393 00:17:37,980 --> 00:17:38,220: my 2394 00:17:38,220 --> 00:17:39,359: Kind.”
“He 2395 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:39,509: is 2396 00:17:39,509 --> 00:17:40,410: not.” 2397 00:17:40,410 --> 00:17:40,890: Dirsche 2398 00:17:40,890 --> 00:17:41,190: agreed 2399 00:17:41,190 --> 00:17:41,369: with a 2400 00:17:41,369 --> 00:17:42,569: nod, “Though 2401 00:17:42,569 --> 00:17:42,690: he 2402 00:17:42,690 --> 00:17:43,049: has 2403 00:17:43,049 --> 00:17:43,289: been 2404 00:17:43,289 --> 00:17:43,799: occasioned 2405 00:17:43,799 --> 00:17:43,890: to 2406 00:17:43,890 --> 00:17:44,099: that 2407 00:17:44,099 --> 00:17:44,609: task, 2408 00:17:44,609 --> 00:17:44,940: aiding 2409 00:17:44,940 --> 00:17:45,059: in 2410 00:17:45,059 --> 00:17:45,119: the 2411 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:45,599: removal 2412 00:17:45,599 --> 00:17:45,690: of 2413 00:17:45,690 --> 00:17:46,559: two. 2414 00:17:46,559 --> 00:17:46,680: It 2415 00:17:46,680 --> 00:17:46,799: was 2416 00:17:46,799 --> 00:17:47,099: after 2417 00:17:47,099 --> 00:17:47,220: the 2418 00:17:47,220 --> 00:17:47,670: first 2419 00:17:47,670 --> 00:17:47,789: that 2420 00:17:47,789 --> 00:17:47,880: I 2421 00:17:47,880 --> 00:17:48,240: became 2422 00:17:48,240 --> 00:17:48,390: his 2423 00:17:48,390 --> 00:17:48,900: squire 2424 00:17:48,900 --> 00:17:49,289: and, 2425 00:17:49,289 --> 00:17:49,500: in 2426 00:17:49,500 --> 00:17:50,160: time, 2427 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:50,339: he 2428 00:17:50,339 --> 00:17:50,910: patroned my 2429 00:17:50,910 --> 00:17:51,450: elevation 2430 00:17:51,450 --> 00:17:51,599: to 2431 00:17:51,599 --> 00:17:52,259: knighthood 2432 00:17:52,259 --> 00:17:52,313: and 2433 00:17:52,313 --> 00:17:52,366: a 2434 00:17:52,366 --> 00:17:52,769: landed 2435 00:17:52,769 --> 00:17:53,730: title.
“You 2436 00:17:53,730 --> 00:17:54,180: see, 2437 00:17:54,180 --> 00:17:54,420: he 2438 00:17:54,420 --> 00:17:54,660: has 2439 00:17:54,660 --> 00:17:54,809: no 2440 00:17:54,809 --> 00:17:55,380: surviving 2441 00:17:55,380 --> 00:17:55,859: heirs, 2442 00:17:55,859 --> 00:17:56,160: no 2443 00:17:56,160 --> 00:17:56,640: prince 2444 00:17:56,640 --> 00:17:56,789: or 2445 00:17:56,789 --> 00:17:57,329: princess 2446 00:17:57,329 --> 00:17:57,420: to 2447 00:17:57,420 --> 00:17:57,809: carry 2448 00:17:57,809 --> 00:17:58,019: his 2449 00:17:58,019 --> 00:17:58,349: rule 2450 00:17:58,349 --> 00:17:58,619: after 2451 00:17:58,619 --> 00:17:58,740: his 2452 00:17:58,740 --> 00:17:59,789: passing. 2453 00:17:59,789 --> 00:17:59,970: Had 2454 00:17:59,970 --> 00:18:00,150: his 2455 00:18:00,150 --> 00:18:00,509: dukes 2456 00:18:00,509 --> 00:18:00,839: known 2457 00:18:00,839 --> 00:18:00,960: of 2458 00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:01,109: his 2459 00:18:01,109 --> 00:18:01,470: secret 2460 00:18:01,470 --> 00:18:02,190: intentions, 2461 00:18:02,190 --> 00:18:02,519: that 2462 00:18:02,519 --> 00:18:02,759: I 2463 00:18:02,759 --> 00:18:02,910: be 2464 00:18:02,910 --> 00:18:03,480: adopted 2465 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:03,660: as 2466 00:18:03,660 --> 00:18:03,809: his 2467 00:18:03,809 --> 00:18:04,200: heir, 2468 00:18:04,200 --> 00:18:04,710: then 2469 00:18:04,710 --> 00:18:04,980: I, 2470 00:18:04,980 --> 00:18:05,309: too, 2471 00:18:05,309 --> 00:18:05,460: would 2472 00:18:05,460 --> 00:18:05,819: likely 2473 00:18:05,819 --> 00:18:06,089: have 2474 00:18:06,089 --> 00:18:06,359: met 2475 00:18:06,359 --> 00:18:06,599: my 2476 00:18:06,599 --> 00:18:06,900: end 2477 00:18:06,900 --> 00:18:07,049: by 2478 00:18:07,049 --> 00:18:07,619: mysterious 2479 00:18:07,619 --> 00:18:08,759: ague.” 2480 00:18:08,759 --> 00:18:08,970: He 2481 00:18:08,970 --> 00:18:09,660: sighed 2482 00:18:09,660 --> 00:18:09,809: and 2483 00:18:09,809 --> 00:18:10,380: frowned 2484 00:18:10,380 --> 00:18:10,470: at 2485 00:18:10,470 --> 00:18:10,529: the 2486 00:18:10,529 --> 00:18:11,400: labyrinthine 2487 00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:11,910: perils 2488 00:18:11,910 --> 00:18:11,970: of 2489 00:18:11,970 --> 00:18:12,930: politics 2490 00:18:12,930 --> 00:18:13,109: though 2491 00:18:13,109 --> 00:18:13,259: he 2492 00:18:13,259 --> 00:18:13,410: had 2493 00:18:13,410 --> 00:18:13,680: come 2494 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:13,799: to 2495 00:18:13,799 --> 00:18:14,309: master 2496 00:18:14,309 --> 00:18:14,430: the 2497 00:18:14,430 --> 00:18:15,000: noisome 2498 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:16,410: game. “Now, 2499 00:18:16,410 --> 00:18:17,099: alas, 2500 00:18:17,099 --> 00:18:17,250: that 2501 00:18:17,250 --> 00:18:17,339: he 2502 00:18:17,339 --> 00:18:17,519: has 2503 00:18:17,519 --> 00:18:17,849: reached 2504 00:18:17,849 --> 00:18:17,910: a 2505 00:18:17,910 --> 00:18:18,240: point 2506 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:18,359: where 2507 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:18,509: he 2508 00:18:18,509 --> 00:18:19,019: fears 2509 00:18:19,019 --> 00:18:19,109: he 2510 00:18:19,109 --> 00:18:19,259: will 2511 00:18:19,259 --> 00:18:19,619: never 2512 00:18:19,619 --> 00:18:19,980: sire 2513 00:18:19,980 --> 00:18:20,220: one 2514 00:18:20,220 --> 00:18:20,670: capable 2515 00:18:20,670 --> 00:18:20,789: of 2516 00:18:20,789 --> 00:18:21,150: becoming 2517 00:18:21,150 --> 00:18:21,299: his 2518 00:18:21,299 --> 00:18:21,539: heir 2519 00:18:21,539 --> 00:18:21,930: but 2520 00:18:21,930 --> 00:18:22,289: merely 2521 00:18:22,289 --> 00:18:22,349: a 2522 00:18:22,349 --> 00:18:22,859: regent 2523 00:18:22,859 --> 00:18:23,369: amidst 2524 00:18:23,369 --> 00:18:23,700: less 2525 00:18:23,700 --> 00:18:24,150: honorable 2526 00:18:24,150 --> 00:18:25,200: men. 2527 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:25,410: He 2528 00:18:25,410 --> 00:18:25,769: seeks 2529 00:18:25,769 --> 00:18:26,160: one 2530 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:26,309: who 2531 00:18:26,309 --> 00:18:26,490: would 2532 00:18:26,490 --> 00:18:26,640: be 2533 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:26,730: a 2534 00:18:26,730 --> 00:18:27,240: worthy 2535 00:18:27,240 --> 00:18:27,750: successor 2536 00:18:27,750 --> 00:18:27,869: to 2537 00:18:27,869 --> 00:18:27,990: his 2538 00:18:27,990 --> 00:18:28,619: throne, 2539 00:18:28,619 --> 00:18:28,920: and 2540 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:29,069: his 2541 00:18:29,069 --> 00:18:30,089: honor. 2542 00:18:30,089 --> 00:18:30,210: You 2543 00:18:30,210 --> 00:18:30,569: see, 2544 00:18:30,569 --> 00:18:30,720: he 2545 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:31,019: cares 2546 00:18:31,019 --> 00:18:31,230: more 2547 00:18:31,230 --> 00:18:31,410: for 2548 00:18:31,410 --> 00:18:31,680: his 2549 00:18:31,680 --> 00:18:32,160: kingdom 2550 00:18:32,160 --> 00:18:32,339: than 2551 00:18:32,339 --> 00:18:32,490: his 2552 00:18:32,490 --> 00:18:33,660: mortality. 2553 00:18:33,660 --> 00:18:33,990: He 2554 00:18:33,990 --> 00:18:34,259: would 2555 00:18:34,259 --> 00:18:34,442: that 2556 00:18:34,442 --> 00:18:34,498: a 2557 00:18:34,498 --> 00:18:34,950: land 2558 00:18:34,950 --> 00:18:35,220: where 2559 00:18:35,220 --> 00:18:35,549: fair 2560 00:18:35,549 --> 00:18:35,970: folk, 2561 00:18:35,970 --> 00:18:36,299: fur 2562 00:18:36,299 --> 00:18:36,690: folk, 2563 00:18:36,690 --> 00:18:36,869: and 2564 00:18:36,869 --> 00:18:37,230: all 2565 00:18:37,230 --> 00:18:37,440: other 2566 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:37,799: manner 2567 00:18:37,799 --> 00:18:37,859: of 2568 00:18:37,859 --> 00:18:38,279: magic 2569 00:18:38,279 --> 00:18:38,579: life 2570 00:18:38,579 --> 00:18:38,670: are 2571 00:18:38,670 --> 00:18:39,029: treated 2572 00:18:39,029 --> 00:18:39,599: fairly 2573 00:18:39,599 --> 00:18:39,750: and 2574 00:18:39,750 --> 00:18:40,319: equitably 2575 00:18:40,319 --> 00:18:40,529: under 2576 00:18:40,529 --> 00:18:40,890: just 2577 00:18:40,890 --> 00:18:43,619: laws.”
“Including 2578 00:18:43,619 --> 00:18:44,880: dragons.” 2579 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:45,000: The 2580 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:45,539: dragoness 2581 00:18:45,539 --> 00:18:46,019: rumbled 2582 00:18:46,019 --> 00:18:46,170: with 2583 00:18:46,170 --> 00:18:46,619: another 2584 00:18:46,619 --> 00:18:46,980: slow 2585 00:18:46,980 --> 00:18:47,700: nod, 2586 00:18:47,700 --> 00:18:48,509: relaxing from 2587 00:18:48,509 --> 00:18:48,690: her 2588 00:18:48,690 --> 00:18:49,440: intimidating 2589 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:50,400: mantle-winged 2590 00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:51,420: pose. 2591 00:18:51,420 --> 00:18:51,630: They 2592 00:18:51,630 --> 00:18:52,140: rustled 2593 00:18:52,140 --> 00:18:52,319: like 2594 00:18:52,319 --> 00:18:52,890: becalmed 2595 00:18:52,890 --> 00:18:53,579: sail cloth 2596 00:18:53,579 --> 00:18:53,730: as 2597 00:18:53,730 --> 00:18:53,819: they 2598 00:18:53,819 --> 00:18:54,329: folded 2599 00:18:54,329 --> 00:18:54,690: along 2600 00:18:54,690 --> 00:18:54,960: her 2601 00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:55,529: gleaming, 2602 00:18:55,529 --> 00:18:55,859: dark 2603 00:18:55,859 --> 00:18:56,250: emerald 2604 00:18:56,250 --> 00:18:57,599: back.
The 2605 00:18:57,599 --> 00:18:57,869: knight 2606 00:18:57,869 --> 00:18:58,200: nodded 2607 00:18:58,200 --> 00:18:58,319: as 2608 00:18:58,319 --> 00:18:59,640: well. “Just 2609 00:18:59,640 --> 00:19:00,150: so, 2610 00:19:00,150 --> 00:19:00,690: providing 2611 00:19:00,690 --> 00:19:00,809: they 2612 00:19:00,809 --> 00:19:00,900: do 2613 00:19:00,900 --> 00:19:01,170: not 2614 00:19:01,170 --> 00:19:01,500: torch 2615 00:19:01,500 --> 00:19:02,069: villages 2616 00:19:02,069 --> 00:19:02,490: or 2617 00:19:02,490 --> 00:19:03,088: denude 2618 00:19:03,088 --> 00:19:03,420: local 2619 00:19:03,420 --> 00:19:04,049: livestock 2620 00:19:04,049 --> 00:19:04,380: without 2621 00:19:04,380 --> 00:19:05,009: recompense 2622 00:19:05,009 --> 00:19:05,160: from 2623 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:05,309: their 2624 00:19:05,309 --> 00:19:05,460: own 2625 00:19:05,460 --> 00:19:06,839: hoards.”
“And 2626 00:19:06,839 --> 00:19:07,200: so, 2627 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:07,500: your 2628 00:19:07,500 --> 00:19:08,279: king?” 2629 00:19:08,279 --> 00:19:08,549: She 2630 00:19:08,549 --> 00:19:09,240: prompted, 2631 00:19:09,240 --> 00:19:09,750: settling 2632 00:19:09,750 --> 00:19:10,349: couchant 2633 00:19:10,349 --> 00:19:10,529: with 2634 00:19:10,529 --> 00:19:10,619: the 2635 00:19:10,619 --> 00:19:11,099: slow 2636 00:19:11,099 --> 00:19:11,490: grace 2637 00:19:11,490 --> 00:19:11,579: of 2638 00:19:11,579 --> 00:19:11,640: a 2639 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:11,970: great 2640 00:19:11,970 --> 00:19:13,349: cat.
“Well, 2641 00:19:13,349 --> 00:19:13,650: rather 2642 00:19:13,650 --> 00:19:13,829: than 2643 00:19:13,829 --> 00:19:14,430: proclaiming 2644 00:19:14,430 --> 00:19:14,579: me 2645 00:19:14,579 --> 00:19:15,059: outright 2646 00:19:15,059 --> 00:19:15,210: as 2647 00:19:15,210 --> 00:19:15,359: his 2648 00:19:15,359 --> 00:19:15,720: heir, 2649 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:16,049: just 2650 00:19:16,049 --> 00:19:16,349: one 2651 00:19:16,349 --> 00:19:16,680: among 2652 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:17,069: many 2653 00:19:17,069 --> 00:19:17,339: who 2654 00:19:17,339 --> 00:19:17,640: court 2655 00:19:17,640 --> 00:19:17,819: his 2656 00:19:17,819 --> 00:19:18,210: favor 2657 00:19:18,210 --> 00:19:18,420: that 2658 00:19:18,420 --> 00:19:18,569: they 2659 00:19:18,569 --> 00:19:18,869: might 2660 00:19:18,869 --> 00:19:19,259: become 2661 00:19:19,259 --> 00:19:19,710: such, 2662 00:19:19,710 --> 00:19:20,190: or 2663 00:19:20,190 --> 00:19:20,940: regent 2664 00:19:20,940 --> 00:19:21,240: should 2665 00:19:21,240 --> 00:19:21,420: he 2666 00:19:21,420 --> 00:19:21,900: sire 2667 00:19:21,900 --> 00:19:22,200: one 2668 00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:22,589: more 2669 00:19:22,589 --> 00:19:22,830: ill 2670 00:19:22,830 --> 00:19:23,190: fated 2671 00:19:23,190 --> 00:19:24,000: child, 2672 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:24,150: he 2673 00:19:24,150 --> 00:19:24,420: set 2674 00:19:24,420 --> 00:19:24,690: forth 2675 00:19:24,690 --> 00:19:24,750: a 2676 00:19:24,750 --> 00:19:25,920: challenge. 2677 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:26,190: To 2678 00:19:26,190 --> 00:19:26,460: each 2679 00:19:26,460 --> 00:19:27,180: prospective 2680 00:19:27,180 --> 00:19:28,019: supplicant, 2681 00:19:28,019 --> 00:19:28,259: whose 2682 00:19:28,259 --> 00:19:28,829: desires 2683 00:19:28,829 --> 00:19:28,980: were 2684 00:19:28,980 --> 00:19:29,279: well 2685 00:19:29,279 --> 00:19:29,430: and 2686 00:19:29,430 --> 00:19:29,880: openly 2687 00:19:29,880 --> 00:19:30,509: known, 2688 00:19:30,509 --> 00:19:30,869: and 2689 00:19:30,869 --> 00:19:30,960: to 2690 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:31,650: myself 2691 00:19:31,650 --> 00:19:32,130: despite 2692 00:19:32,130 --> 00:19:32,460: never 2693 00:19:32,460 --> 00:19:32,789: having 2694 00:19:32,789 --> 00:19:33,150: openly 2695 00:19:33,150 --> 00:19:33,630: stated a 2696 00:19:33,630 --> 00:19:33,990: desire 2697 00:19:33,990 --> 00:19:34,140: for 2698 00:19:34,140 --> 00:19:34,740: such, 2699 00:19:34,740 --> 00:19:35,099: was 2700 00:19:35,099 --> 00:19:35,369: given 2701 00:19:35,369 --> 00:19:35,430: a 2702 00:19:35,430 --> 00:19:36,690: challenge. 2703 00:19:36,690 --> 00:19:36,990: To 2704 00:19:36,990 --> 00:19:37,289: each 2705 00:19:37,289 --> 00:19:37,410: it 2706 00:19:37,410 --> 00:19:37,711: was 2707 00:19:37,711 --> 00:19:37,769: a 2708 00:19:37,769 --> 00:19:38,250: different, 2709 00:19:38,250 --> 00:19:38,549: yet 2710 00:19:38,549 --> 00:19:39,029: always 2711 00:19:39,029 --> 00:19:39,690: difficult, 2712 00:19:39,690 --> 00:19:39,960: if 2713 00:19:39,960 --> 00:19:40,380: not 2714 00:19:40,380 --> 00:19:41,279: impossible, 2715 00:19:41,279 --> 00:19:42,930: task. 2716 00:19:42,930 --> 00:19:43,230: These 2717 00:19:43,230 --> 00:19:43,710: tasks 2718 00:19:43,710 --> 00:19:43,829: were 2719 00:19:43,829 --> 00:19:44,339: laid 2720 00:19:44,339 --> 00:19:44,670: each 2721 00:19:44,670 --> 00:19:45,119: before 2722 00:19:45,119 --> 00:19:45,269: us 2723 00:19:45,269 --> 00:19:45,420: with 2724 00:19:45,420 --> 00:19:45,509: the 2725 00:19:45,509 --> 00:19:46,049: fullness 2726 00:19:46,049 --> 00:19:46,140: of 2727 00:19:46,140 --> 00:19:46,319: his 2728 00:19:46,319 --> 00:19:46,740: court 2729 00:19:46,740 --> 00:19:46,890: and 2730 00:19:46,890 --> 00:19:47,430: commoners 2731 00:19:47,430 --> 00:19:47,519: to 2732 00:19:47,519 --> 00:19:48,029: witness 2733 00:19:48,029 --> 00:19:48,210: and 2734 00:19:48,210 --> 00:19:48,660: cry 2735 00:19:48,660 --> 00:19:48,900: these 2736 00:19:48,900 --> 00:19:49,559: requirements 2737 00:19:49,559 --> 00:19:49,980: loud 2738 00:19:49,980 --> 00:19:50,069: and 2739 00:19:50,069 --> 00:19:51,690: far.”
“And 2740 00:19:51,690 --> 00:19:52,140: yours 2741 00:19:52,140 --> 00:19:53,670: was?” 2742 00:19:53,670 --> 00:19:53,849: He 2743 00:19:53,849 --> 00:19:54,299: certainly 2744 00:19:54,299 --> 00:19:54,509: had 2745 00:19:54,509 --> 00:19:54,599: her 2746 00:19:54,599 --> 00:19:54,990: interest 2747 00:19:54,990 --> 00:19:55,619: now, 2748 00:19:55,619 --> 00:19:55,829: that 2749 00:19:55,829 --> 00:19:56,430: huge 2750 00:19:56,430 --> 00:19:56,910: head 2751 00:19:56,910 --> 00:19:57,420: bowing 2752 00:19:57,420 --> 00:19:57,720: low 2753 00:19:57,720 --> 00:19:58,049: enough 2754 00:19:58,049 --> 00:19:58,170: he 2755 00:19:58,170 --> 00:19:58,380: could 2756 00:19:58,380 --> 00:19:58,740: meet 2757 00:19:58,740 --> 00:19:58,859: her 2758 00:19:58,859 --> 00:19:59,579: slit-eyed 2759 00:19:59,579 --> 00:19:59,970: gaze 2760 00:19:59,970 --> 00:20:00,269: without 2761 00:20:00,269 --> 00:20:00,569: looking 2762 00:20:00,569 --> 00:20:02,130: up.
“Difficult, 2763 00:20:02,130 --> 00:20:02,460: but 2764 00:20:02,460 --> 00:20:02,789: far 2765 00:20:02,789 --> 00:20:03,809: from impossible, 2766 00:20:03,809 --> 00:20:04,230: though 2767 00:20:04,230 --> 00:20:04,410: it 2768 00:20:04,410 --> 00:20:04,769: has 2769 00:20:04,769 --> 00:20:05,160: taken 2770 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:05,339: me 2771 00:20:05,339 --> 00:20:05,400: a 2772 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:06,119: surprising 2773 00:20:06,119 --> 00:20:06,509: time 2774 00:20:06,509 --> 00:20:06,630: to 2775 00:20:06,630 --> 00:20:06,900: reach 2776 00:20:06,900 --> 00:20:07,140: this 2777 00:20:07,140 --> 00:20:08,190: point. 2778 00:20:08,190 --> 00:20:08,369: You 2779 00:20:08,369 --> 00:20:09,180: see, 2780 00:20:09,180 --> 00:20:09,299: the 2781 00:20:09,299 --> 00:20:09,839: locals 2782 00:20:09,839 --> 00:20:09,990: are 2783 00:20:09,990 --> 00:20:10,650: quite 2784 00:20:10,650 --> 00:20:11,160: enamored 2785 00:20:11,160 --> 00:20:11,339: of 2786 00:20:11,339 --> 00:20:11,519: you, 2787 00:20:11,519 --> 00:20:11,849: great 2788 00:20:11,849 --> 00:20:12,269: mistress 2789 00:20:12,269 --> 00:20:12,359: of 2790 00:20:12,359 --> 00:20:12,450: the 2791 00:20:12,450 --> 00:20:15,000: lake.”
“Jhydeshaii.” 2792 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:15,299: She 2793 00:20:15,299 --> 00:20:15,750: rumbled 2794 00:20:15,750 --> 00:20:16,319: quietly 2795 00:20:16,319 --> 00:20:16,470: with 2796 00:20:16,470 --> 00:20:16,529: a 2797 00:20:16,529 --> 00:20:17,069: slight 2798 00:20:17,069 --> 00:20:17,579: sideward 2799 00:20:17,579 --> 00:20:17,880: tilt 2800 00:20:17,880 --> 00:20:17,940: of 2801 00:20:17,940 --> 00:20:18,059: her 2802 00:20:18,059 --> 00:20:21,150: head. “Jade.”
Dirsche 2803 00:20:21,150 --> 00:20:21,569: bowed 2804 00:20:21,569 --> 00:20:21,750: his 2805 00:20:21,750 --> 00:20:22,019: head 2806 00:20:22,019 --> 00:20:22,140: in 2807 00:20:22,140 --> 00:20:22,769: acknowledgment 2808 00:20:22,769 --> 00:20:22,829: of 2809 00:20:22,829 --> 00:20:24,654: the privilege she had extended, 2810 00:20:24,654 --> 00:20:25,105: even 2811 00:20:25,105 --> 00:20:25,464: with 2812 00:20:25,464 --> 00:20:25,585: the 2813 00:20:25,585 --> 00:20:26,275: bastardized 2814 00:20:26,275 --> 00:20:26,694: shortening 2815 00:20:26,694 --> 00:20:26,785: of 2816 00:20:26,785 --> 00:20:26,934: her 2817 00:20:26,934 --> 00:20:27,234: True 2818 00:20:27,234 --> 00:20:27,444: name 2819 00:20:27,444 --> 00:20:27,684: which 2820 00:20:27,684 --> 00:20:27,894: he 2821 00:20:27,894 --> 00:20:28,224: could 2822 00:20:28,224 --> 00:20:28,704: never 2823 00:20:28,704 --> 00:20:28,855: have 2824 00:20:28,855 --> 00:20:29,394: pronounced 2825 00:20:29,394 --> 00:20:29,605: even 2826 00:20:29,605 --> 00:20:29,815: had 2827 00:20:29,815 --> 00:20:29,904: he 2828 00:20:29,904 --> 00:20:30,204: known 2829 00:20:30,204 --> 00:20:31,105: it. “An 2830 00:20:31,105 --> 00:20:31,644: honor, 2831 00:20:31,644 --> 00:20:32,904: mistress Jade. 2832 00:20:32,904 --> 00:20:33,384: My king 2833 00:20:33,384 --> 00:20:33,684: set 2834 00:20:33,684 --> 00:20:33,775: to 2835 00:20:33,775 --> 00:20:33,924: me 2836 00:20:33,924 --> 00:20:33,984: a 2837 00:20:33,984 --> 00:20:34,494: quest 2838 00:20:34,494 --> 00:20:34,704: that 2839 00:20:34,704 --> 00:20:35,275: seemed, 2840 00:20:35,275 --> 00:20:35,455: at 2841 00:20:35,455 --> 00:20:35,575: its 2842 00:20:35,575 --> 00:20:35,964: initial 2843 00:20:35,964 --> 00:20:36,595: presentation, 2844 00:20:36,595 --> 00:20:36,775: a 2845 00:20:36,775 --> 00:20:37,105: very 2846 00:20:37,105 --> 00:20:37,464: simple 2847 00:20:37,464 --> 00:20:38,575: task. 2848 00:20:38,575 --> 00:20:38,724: I 2849 00:20:38,724 --> 00:20:38,934: was 2850 00:20:38,934 --> 00:20:39,055: to 2851 00:20:39,055 --> 00:20:39,565: procure, 2852 00:20:39,565 --> 00:20:39,775: from 2853 00:20:39,775 --> 00:20:39,835: a 2854 00:20:39,835 --> 00:20:40,674: dragon, 2855 00:20:40,674 --> 00:20:41,432: a prized 2856 00:20:41,432 --> 00:20:43,075: treasure.”
“Simple, 2857 00:20:43,075 --> 00:20:44,035: indeed.” 2858 00:20:44,035 --> 00:20:44,305: Rumbled 2859 00:20:44,305 --> 00:20:44,394: the 2860 00:20:44,394 --> 00:20:44,964: dragoness, 2861 00:20:44,964 --> 00:20:46,224: Jade. “For 2862 00:20:46,224 --> 00:20:46,615: one 2863 00:20:46,615 --> 00:20:46,795: who 2864 00:20:46,795 --> 00:20:47,184: has 2865 00:20:47,184 --> 00:20:47,934: captured 2866 00:20:47,934 --> 00:20:48,055: the 2867 00:20:48,055 --> 00:20:48,714: hoards 2868 00:20:48,714 --> 00:20:48,835: of 2869 00:20:48,835 --> 00:20:49,285: seven 2870 00:20:49,285 --> 00:20:49,914: slain, 2871 00:20:49,914 --> 00:20:50,035: and 2872 00:20:50,035 --> 00:20:51,085: grotesquely 2873 00:20:51,085 --> 00:20:51,744: paraded, 2874 00:20:51,744 --> 00:20:53,214: dragons.” 2875 00:20:53,214 --> 00:20:53,424: Her 2876 00:20:53,424 --> 00:20:53,875: voice 2877 00:20:53,875 --> 00:20:54,085: was 2878 00:20:54,085 --> 00:20:54,865: wry, 2879 00:20:54,865 --> 00:20:55,315: still 2880 00:20:55,315 --> 00:20:56,125: disgusted 2881 00:20:56,125 --> 00:20:56,275: by 2882 00:20:56,275 --> 00:20:56,484: the 2883 00:20:56,484 --> 00:20:57,055: garish 2884 00:20:57,055 --> 00:20:57,595: rainbow 2885 00:20:57,595 --> 00:20:58,075: hues 2886 00:20:58,075 --> 00:20:58,134: of 2887 00:20:58,134 --> 00:20:58,224: the 2888 00:20:58,224 --> 00:20:58,555: knight’s 2889 00:20:58,555 --> 00:21:01,015: armor.
“Ah, at 2890 00:21:01,015 --> 00:21:01,315: first 2891 00:21:01,315 --> 00:21:01,404: it 2892 00:21:01,404 --> 00:21:01,525: would 2893 00:21:01,525 --> 00:21:01,765: seem, 2894 00:21:01,765 --> 00:21:02,845: indeed. 2895 00:21:02,845 --> 00:21:03,265: Though 2896 00:21:03,265 --> 00:21:03,595: those 2897 00:21:03,595 --> 00:21:04,825: slain forswore 2898 00:21:04,825 --> 00:21:05,035: the 2899 00:21:05,035 --> 00:21:05,605: justice 2900 00:21:05,605 --> 00:21:05,694: of 2901 00:21:05,694 --> 00:21:05,815: the 2902 00:21:05,815 --> 00:21:06,295: kingdoms 2903 00:21:06,295 --> 00:21:06,414: they 2904 00:21:06,414 --> 00:21:06,984: rampaged 2905 00:21:06,984 --> 00:21:07,644: through, 2906 00:21:07,644 --> 00:21:08,065: laying 2907 00:21:08,065 --> 00:21:08,575: waste 2908 00:21:08,575 --> 00:21:08,694: to 2909 00:21:08,694 --> 00:21:09,055: village 2910 00:21:09,055 --> 00:21:09,159: and 2911 00:21:09,159 --> 00:21:09,565: town, 2912 00:21:09,565 --> 00:21:10,285: slaughtering 2913 00:21:10,285 --> 00:21:10,464: the 2914 00:21:10,464 --> 00:21:10,825: peasant 2915 00:21:10,825 --> 00:21:11,125: folk 2916 00:21:11,125 --> 00:21:11,214: and 2917 00:21:11,214 --> 00:21:11,365: their 2918 00:21:11,365 --> 00:21:11,724: lords 2919 00:21:11,724 --> 00:21:12,055: without 2920 00:21:12,055 --> 00:21:12,355: care 2921 00:21:12,355 --> 00:21:12,474: or 2922 00:21:12,474 --> 00:21:13,345: concern. 2923 00:21:13,345 --> 00:21:13,734: Many 2924 00:21:13,734 --> 00:21:13,884: were 2925 00:21:13,884 --> 00:21:14,244: sought 2926 00:21:14,244 --> 00:21:14,365: to 2927 00:21:14,365 --> 00:21:14,724: brace 2928 00:21:14,724 --> 00:21:14,994: those 2929 00:21:14,994 --> 00:21:16,164: particulars. 2930 00:21:16,164 --> 00:21:16,494: Many 2931 00:21:16,494 --> 00:21:17,515: failed. 2932 00:21:17,515 --> 00:21:17,815: I 2933 00:21:17,815 --> 00:21:18,325: always 2934 00:21:18,325 --> 00:21:18,744: attempted 2935 00:21:18,744 --> 00:21:19,105: parlay, 2936 00:21:19,105 --> 00:21:19,194: at 2937 00:21:19,194 --> 00:21:19,734: first, 2938 00:21:19,734 --> 00:21:19,944: as 2939 00:21:19,944 --> 00:21:20,154: I 2940 00:21:20,154 --> 00:21:20,424: have 2941 00:21:20,424 --> 00:21:20,785: entered 2942 00:21:20,785 --> 00:21:21,055: into 2943 00:21:21,055 --> 00:21:21,204: with 2944 00:21:21,204 --> 00:21:21,744: yourself, 2945 00:21:21,744 --> 00:21:22,075: most 2946 00:21:22,075 --> 00:21:22,375: noble 2947 00:21:22,375 --> 00:21:23,244: Jade. 2948 00:21:23,244 --> 00:21:23,575: They 2949 00:21:23,575 --> 00:21:24,174: ignored 2950 00:21:24,174 --> 00:21:24,384: my 2951 00:21:24,384 --> 00:21:25,164: entreaties 2952 00:21:25,164 --> 00:21:25,404: and 2953 00:21:25,404 --> 00:21:25,765: met 2954 00:21:25,765 --> 00:21:26,095: their 2955 00:21:26,095 --> 00:21:27,384: dooms. 2956 00:21:27,384 --> 00:21:27,654: I 2957 00:21:27,654 --> 00:21:28,045: found 2958 00:21:28,045 --> 00:21:28,194: them 2959 00:21:28,194 --> 00:21:28,615: beyond 2960 00:21:28,615 --> 00:21:29,065: reason, 2961 00:21:29,065 --> 00:21:29,605: beyond 2962 00:21:29,605 --> 00:21:30,085: thoughts 2963 00:21:30,085 --> 00:21:30,535: higher 2964 00:21:30,535 --> 00:21:30,775: than 2965 00:21:30,775 --> 00:21:31,075: those 2966 00:21:31,075 --> 00:21:31,194: of 2967 00:21:31,194 --> 00:21:31,255: a 2968 00:21:31,255 --> 00:21:31,674: rabid 2969 00:21:31,674 --> 00:21:32,605: animal. 2970 00:21:32,605 --> 00:21:32,845: I 2971 00:21:32,845 --> 00:21:33,265: admit 2972 00:21:33,265 --> 00:21:33,505: that 2973 00:21:33,505 --> 00:21:33,805: I 2974 00:21:33,805 --> 00:21:33,924: do 2975 00:21:33,924 --> 00:21:34,194: not 2976 00:21:34,194 --> 00:21:34,345: look 2977 00:21:34,345 --> 00:21:34,615: back 2978 00:21:34,615 --> 00:21:34,884: upon 2979 00:21:34,884 --> 00:21:35,065: those 2980 00:21:35,065 --> 00:21:35,575: encounters 2981 00:21:35,575 --> 00:21:35,845: with 2982 00:21:35,845 --> 00:21:36,174: any 2983 00:21:36,174 --> 00:21:36,654: pride 2984 00:21:36,654 --> 00:21:36,775: or 2985 00:21:36,775 --> 00:21:37,194: pleasure, 2986 00:21:37,194 --> 00:21:37,704: Milady, 2987 00:21:37,704 --> 00:21:37,944: on 2988 00:21:37,944 --> 00:21:38,125: as 2989 00:21:38,125 --> 00:21:38,904: necessary 2990 00:21:38,904 --> 00:21:40,914: tasks.”
“There 2991 00:21:40,914 --> 00:21:41,154: is 2992 00:21:41,154 --> 00:21:41,545: no 2993 00:21:41,545 --> 00:21:41,994: word 2994 00:21:41,994 --> 00:21:42,204: that 2995 00:21:42,204 --> 00:21:42,924: translates 2996 00:21:42,924 --> 00:21:43,105: for 2997 00:21:43,105 --> 00:21:43,345: that 2998 00:21:43,345 --> 00:21:43,914: condition, 2999 00:21:43,914 --> 00:21:45,204: sir knight, 3000 00:21:45,204 --> 00:21:46,494: but ‘rabid’ 3001 00:21:46,494 --> 00:21:46,855: would 3002 00:21:46,855 --> 00:21:47,005: be 3003 00:21:47,005 --> 00:21:47,125: an 3004 00:21:47,125 --> 00:21:47,515: apt 3005 00:21:47,515 --> 00:21:48,265: facsimile 3006 00:21:48,265 --> 00:21:48,355: in 3007 00:21:48,355 --> 00:21:48,654: your 3008 00:21:48,654 --> 00:21:49,704: tongue.” 3009 00:21:49,704 --> 00:21:49,884: Her 3010 00:21:49,884 --> 00:21:50,394: visage 3011 00:21:50,394 --> 00:21:50,724: was 3012 00:21:50,724 --> 00:21:51,924: disquieted, 3013 00:21:51,924 --> 00:21:52,615: ears-frills 3014 00:21:52,615 --> 00:21:52,734: and 3015 00:21:52,734 --> 00:21:53,214: spinal 3016 00:21:53,214 --> 00:21:53,605: crest 3017 00:21:53,605 --> 00:21:53,875: laid 3018 00:21:53,875 --> 00:21:54,684: flat, 3019 00:21:54,684 --> 00:21:55,224: lambent 3020 00:21:55,224 --> 00:21:55,674: azure 3021 00:21:55,674 --> 00:21:56,184: eyes 3022 00:21:56,184 --> 00:21:58,734: downcast.
“Alas, 3023 00:21:58,734 --> 00:21:58,855: and 3024 00:21:58,855 --> 00:21:59,275: indeed 3025 00:21:59,275 --> 00:22:00,204: so. 3026 00:22:00,204 --> 00:22:00,595: As 3027 00:22:00,595 --> 00:22:00,775: such 3028 00:22:00,775 --> 00:22:00,954: their 3029 00:22:00,954 --> 00:22:01,404: attention 3030 00:22:01,404 --> 00:22:01,585: had 3031 00:22:01,585 --> 00:22:02,125: wandered 3032 00:22:02,125 --> 00:22:02,305: from 3033 00:22:02,305 --> 00:22:02,424: their 3034 00:22:02,424 --> 00:22:02,815: hoarded 3035 00:22:02,815 --> 00:22:03,535: treasures, 3036 00:22:03,535 --> 00:22:04,075: so 3037 00:22:04,075 --> 00:22:04,315: I 3038 00:22:04,315 --> 00:22:04,464: am 3039 00:22:04,464 --> 00:22:04,795: not 3040 00:22:04,795 --> 00:22:05,005: so 3041 00:22:05,005 --> 00:22:05,454: mightily 3042 00:22:05,454 --> 00:22:05,724: rich 3043 00:22:05,724 --> 00:22:05,815: as 3044 00:22:05,815 --> 00:22:05,994: one 3045 00:22:05,994 --> 00:22:06,174: might 3046 00:22:06,174 --> 00:22:07,285: imagine. 3047 00:22:07,285 --> 00:22:07,704: You, 3048 00:22:07,704 --> 00:22:08,214: alone, 3049 00:22:08,214 --> 00:22:08,755: probably 3050 00:22:08,755 --> 00:22:09,174: possess 3051 00:22:09,174 --> 00:22:09,295: as 3052 00:22:09,295 --> 00:22:09,505: much 3053 00:22:09,505 --> 00:22:09,625: as 3054 00:22:09,625 --> 00:22:09,865: any 3055 00:22:09,865 --> 00:22:10,164: three 3056 00:22:10,164 --> 00:22:10,285: of 3057 00:22:10,285 --> 00:22:10,464: them 3058 00:22:10,464 --> 00:22:11,934: together.”
“Of 3059 00:22:11,934 --> 00:22:12,265: that 3060 00:22:12,265 --> 00:22:12,444: you 3061 00:22:12,444 --> 00:22:12,714: wish 3062 00:22:12,714 --> 00:22:12,984: some 3063 00:22:12,984 --> 00:22:13,974: treasure. 3064 00:22:13,974 --> 00:22:14,244: Of 3065 00:22:14,244 --> 00:22:14,724: those 3066 00:22:14,724 --> 00:22:15,144: things 3067 00:22:15,144 --> 00:22:15,325: which 3068 00:22:15,325 --> 00:22:15,474: are 3069 00:22:15,474 --> 00:22:17,035: mine.”
“A 3070 00:22:17,035 --> 00:22:17,605: special 3071 00:22:17,605 --> 00:22:17,964: treasure 3072 00:22:17,964 --> 00:22:18,174: which 3073 00:22:18,174 --> 00:22:18,595: no 3074 00:22:18,595 --> 00:22:19,134: dragon 3075 00:22:19,134 --> 00:22:19,224: I 3076 00:22:19,224 --> 00:22:19,404: have 3077 00:22:19,404 --> 00:22:19,944: encountered 3078 00:22:19,944 --> 00:22:20,724: has. 3079 00:22:20,724 --> 00:22:20,964: And 3080 00:22:20,964 --> 00:22:21,115: I 3081 00:22:21,115 --> 00:22:21,714: have, 3082 00:22:21,714 --> 00:22:22,615: indeed, 3083 00:22:22,615 --> 00:22:23,035: met 3084 00:22:23,035 --> 00:22:23,484: many 3085 00:22:23,484 --> 00:22:23,994: dragons, 3086 00:22:23,994 --> 00:22:24,805: Milady. 3087 00:22:24,805 --> 00:22:25,194: Not 3088 00:22:25,194 --> 00:22:25,525: all 3089 00:22:25,525 --> 00:22:25,704: have 3090 00:22:25,704 --> 00:22:26,305: subsumed 3091 00:22:26,305 --> 00:22:26,424: to 3092 00:22:26,424 --> 00:22:26,515: the 3093 00:22:26,515 --> 00:22:26,994: madness 3094 00:22:26,994 --> 00:22:27,174: that 3095 00:22:27,174 --> 00:22:27,517: claimed 3096 00:22:27,517 --> 00:22:27,775: those 3097 00:22:27,775 --> 00:22:27,954: whose 3098 00:22:27,954 --> 00:22:28,404: memories 3099 00:22:28,404 --> 00:22:28,525: I 3100 00:22:28,525 --> 00:22:29,515: wear. 3101 00:22:29,515 --> 00:22:29,664: I 3102 00:22:29,664 --> 00:22:29,994: most 3103 00:22:29,994 --> 00:22:30,595: certainly 3104 00:22:30,595 --> 00:22:31,075: respect 3105 00:22:31,075 --> 00:22:31,194: them 3106 00:22:31,194 --> 00:22:31,315: for 3107 00:22:31,315 --> 00:22:31,434: their 3108 00:22:31,434 --> 00:22:32,035: majesty 3109 00:22:32,035 --> 00:22:32,154: and 3110 00:22:32,154 --> 00:22:32,755: power, 3111 00:22:32,755 --> 00:22:32,904: and 3112 00:22:32,904 --> 00:22:33,055: they 3113 00:22:33,055 --> 00:22:33,714: grudgingly 3114 00:22:33,714 --> 00:22:34,224: respect 3115 00:22:34,224 --> 00:22:34,464: me 3116 00:22:34,464 --> 00:22:34,615: for 3117 00:22:34,615 --> 00:22:34,825: my 3118 00:22:34,825 --> 00:22:35,035: own 3119 00:22:35,035 --> 00:22:35,994: strength. 3120 00:22:35,994 --> 00:22:36,234: But 3121 00:22:36,234 --> 00:22:36,565: none 3122 00:22:36,565 --> 00:22:36,835: would 3123 00:22:36,835 --> 00:22:37,045: part 3124 00:22:37,045 --> 00:22:37,255: with 3125 00:22:37,255 --> 00:22:37,555: even 3126 00:22:37,555 --> 00:22:37,734: but 3127 00:22:37,734 --> 00:22:37,795: a 3128 00:22:37,795 --> 00:22:38,424: single 3129 00:22:38,424 --> 00:22:38,904: copper 3130 00:22:38,904 --> 00:22:39,474: farthing 3131 00:22:39,474 --> 00:22:39,654: from 3132 00:22:39,654 --> 00:22:39,805: their 3133 00:22:39,805 --> 00:22:40,285: hoards 3134 00:22:40,285 --> 00:22:40,434: to 3135 00:22:40,434 --> 00:22:40,765: lend 3136 00:22:40,765 --> 00:22:41,365: veracity 3137 00:22:41,365 --> 00:22:41,515: for 3138 00:22:41,515 --> 00:22:41,664: my 3139 00:22:41,664 --> 00:22:42,025: claim 3140 00:22:42,025 --> 00:22:42,144: to 3141 00:22:42,144 --> 00:22:42,234: the 3142 00:22:42,234 --> 00:22:43,494: throne. 3143 00:22:43,494 --> 00:22:43,615: I 3144 00:22:43,615 --> 00:22:43,795: have 3145 00:22:43,795 --> 00:22:44,275: spent 3146 00:22:44,275 --> 00:22:44,694: much 3147 00:22:44,694 --> 00:22:44,755: of 3148 00:22:44,755 --> 00:22:44,845: the 3149 00:22:44,845 --> 00:22:45,234: last 3150 00:22:45,234 --> 00:22:45,444: year 3151 00:22:45,444 --> 00:22:45,894: seeking 3152 00:22:45,894 --> 00:22:46,795: you, 3153 00:22:46,795 --> 00:22:46,974: though 3154 00:22:46,974 --> 00:22:47,095: I 3155 00:22:47,095 --> 00:22:47,305: have 3156 00:22:47,305 --> 00:22:47,634: known 3157 00:22:47,634 --> 00:22:47,724: of 3158 00:22:47,724 --> 00:22:48,085: you, 3159 00:22:48,085 --> 00:22:48,355: your 3160 00:22:48,355 --> 00:22:49,375: reputation, 3161 00:22:49,375 --> 00:22:49,555: for 3162 00:22:49,555 --> 00:22:49,944: many 3163 00:22:49,944 --> 00:22:51,384: years.”
“A 3164 00:22:51,384 --> 00:22:51,894: year, 3165 00:22:51,894 --> 00:22:52,464: seeking 3166 00:22:52,464 --> 00:22:53,305: me? 3167 00:22:53,305 --> 00:22:54,144: Am I so 3168 00:22:54,144 --> 00:22:55,045: reclusive 3169 00:22:55,045 --> 00:22:55,224: that 3170 00:22:55,224 --> 00:22:55,345: it 3171 00:22:55,345 --> 00:22:55,494: would 3172 00:22:55,494 --> 00:22:55,884: take 3173 00:22:55,884 --> 00:22:56,125: such 3174 00:22:56,125 --> 00:22:56,214: a 3175 00:22:56,214 --> 00:22:56,605: time 3176 00:22:56,605 --> 00:22:56,724: to 3177 00:22:56,724 --> 00:22:57,025: come 3178 00:22:57,025 --> 00:22:57,174: to 3179 00:22:57,174 --> 00:22:57,474: my 3180 00:22:57,474 --> 00:22:57,775: door 3181 00:22:57,775 --> 00:22:57,954: with 3182 00:22:57,954 --> 00:22:58,224: your 3183 00:22:58,224 --> 00:22:58,884: music 3184 00:22:58,884 --> 00:22:59,065: to 3185 00:22:59,065 --> 00:22:59,515: make 3186 00:22:59,515 --> 00:22:59,664: the 3187 00:22:59,664 --> 00:23:00,115: ears 3188 00:23:00,115 --> 00:23:00,775: bleed?” 3189 00:23:00,775 --> 00:23:01,105: She 3190 00:23:01,105 --> 00:23:01,765: chortled 3191 00:23:01,765 --> 00:23:02,275: softly 3192 00:23:02,275 --> 00:23:02,424: with 3193 00:23:02,424 --> 00:23:02,454: a 3194 00:23:02,454 --> 00:23:02,875: shake 3195 00:23:02,875 --> 00:23:02,994: of 3196 00:23:02,994 --> 00:23:03,115: her 3197 00:23:03,115 --> 00:23:03,744: head, 3198 00:23:03,744 --> 00:23:03,952: then 3199 00:23:03,952 --> 00:23:04,494: nodded 3200 00:23:04,494 --> 00:23:04,795: toward 3201 00:23:04,795 --> 00:23:04,944: the 3202 00:23:04,944 --> 00:23:05,125: edge 3203 00:23:05,125 --> 00:23:05,184: of 3204 00:23:05,184 --> 00:23:05,275: the 3205 00:23:05,275 --> 00:23:05,634: forest 3206 00:23:05,634 --> 00:23:05,815: some 3207 00:23:05,815 --> 00:23:06,265: distance 3208 00:23:06,265 --> 00:23:07,164: away. 3209 00:23:07,164 --> 00:23:07,704: The knight 3210 00:23:07,704 --> 00:23:08,065: turned 3211 00:23:08,065 --> 00:23:08,125: to 3212 00:23:08,125 --> 00:23:08,515: follow 3213 00:23:08,515 --> 00:23:08,664: her 3214 00:23:08,664 --> 00:23:09,204: gaze, 3215 00:23:09,204 --> 00:23:09,654: soon 3216 00:23:09,654 --> 00:23:10,134: spying 3217 00:23:10,134 --> 00:23:10,194: a 3218 00:23:10,194 --> 00:23:10,674: large 3219 00:23:10,674 --> 00:23:11,005: stack 3220 00:23:11,005 --> 00:23:11,125: of 3221 00:23:11,125 --> 00:23:11,424: woven 3222 00:23:11,424 --> 00:23:12,115: baskets, 3223 00:23:12,115 --> 00:23:12,565: buckets, 3224 00:23:12,565 --> 00:23:12,805: and 3225 00:23:12,805 --> 00:23:13,075: other 3226 00:23:13,075 --> 00:23:13,914: vessels 3227 00:23:13,914 --> 00:23:14,335: neatly 3228 00:23:14,335 --> 00:23:14,904: arranged 3229 00:23:14,904 --> 00:23:14,994: in 3230 00:23:14,994 --> 00:23:15,085: the 3231 00:23:15,085 --> 00:23:15,505: shadows 3232 00:23:15,505 --> 00:23:15,565: of 3233 00:23:15,565 --> 00:23:15,654: the 3234 00:23:15,654 --> 00:23:16,464: trees, 3235 00:23:16,464 --> 00:23:16,855: left 3236 00:23:16,855 --> 00:23:17,005: by 3237 00:23:17,005 --> 00:23:17,184: the 3238 00:23:17,184 --> 00:23:17,454: local 3239 00:23:17,454 --> 00:23:17,875: people 3240 00:23:17,875 --> 00:23:18,234: bearing 3241 00:23:18,234 --> 00:23:18,684: gifts 3242 00:23:18,684 --> 00:23:18,835: when 3243 00:23:18,835 --> 00:23:18,954: they 3244 00:23:18,954 --> 00:23:19,224: came 3245 00:23:19,224 --> 00:23:19,315: to 3246 00:23:19,315 --> 00:23:20,724: call. “I 3247 00:23:20,724 --> 00:23:20,875: am 3248 00:23:20,875 --> 00:23:21,174: not 3249 00:23:21,174 --> 00:23:21,384: so 3250 00:23:21,384 --> 00:23:21,835: difficult 3251 00:23:21,835 --> 00:23:21,894: to 3252 00:23:21,894 --> 00:23:22,285: find 3253 00:23:22,285 --> 00:23:22,434: that 3254 00:23:22,434 --> 00:23:22,525: the 3255 00:23:22,525 --> 00:23:23,184: villagers 3256 00:23:23,184 --> 00:23:23,305: do 3257 00:23:23,305 --> 00:23:23,545: not 3258 00:23:23,545 --> 00:23:23,875: visit 3259 00:23:23,875 --> 00:23:24,025: me 3260 00:23:24,025 --> 00:23:26,515: regularly.”
“Ah, as 3261 00:23:26,515 --> 00:23:26,634: I 3262 00:23:26,634 --> 00:23:26,964: said, 3263 00:23:26,964 --> 00:23:27,565: Milady. 3264 00:23:27,565 --> 00:23:27,775: They 3265 00:23:27,775 --> 00:23:27,835: are 3266 00:23:27,835 --> 00:23:28,404: most 3267 00:23:28,404 --> 00:23:28,795: enamored 3268 00:23:28,795 --> 00:23:28,914: of 3269 00:23:28,914 --> 00:23:29,454: you. 3270 00:23:29,454 --> 00:23:29,694: And 3271 00:23:29,694 --> 00:23:29,845: they 3272 00:23:29,845 --> 00:23:29,964: are, 3273 00:23:29,964 --> 00:23:30,625: also, 3274 00:23:30,625 --> 00:23:31,134: most 3275 00:23:31,134 --> 00:23:31,884: distrusting 3276 00:23:31,884 --> 00:23:32,035: of 3277 00:23:32,035 --> 00:23:32,755: me.” 3278 00:23:32,755 --> 00:23:32,964: He 3279 00:23:32,964 --> 00:23:33,414: waved 3280 00:23:33,414 --> 00:23:33,654: one 3281 00:23:33,654 --> 00:23:34,045: hand 3282 00:23:34,045 --> 00:23:34,134: to 3283 00:23:34,134 --> 00:23:34,434: take 3284 00:23:34,434 --> 00:23:34,585: in 3285 00:23:34,585 --> 00:23:34,795: his 3286 00:23:34,795 --> 00:23:35,214: rainbow 3287 00:23:35,214 --> 00:23:35,605: hued 3288 00:23:35,605 --> 00:23:37,045: raiment. “For 3289 00:23:37,045 --> 00:23:37,315: my 3290 00:23:37,315 --> 00:23:37,525: earned 3291 00:23:37,525 --> 00:23:38,095: reputation 3292 00:23:38,095 --> 00:23:38,515: precedes 3293 00:23:38,515 --> 00:23:38,664: me 3294 00:23:38,664 --> 00:23:39,055: wherever 3295 00:23:39,055 --> 00:23:39,174: I 3296 00:23:39,174 --> 00:23:40,015: travel. 3297 00:23:40,015 --> 00:23:40,164: They 3298 00:23:40,164 --> 00:23:40,555: feared 3299 00:23:40,555 --> 00:23:40,704: my 3300 00:23:40,704 --> 00:23:41,244: intentions 3301 00:23:41,244 --> 00:23:41,335: and 3302 00:23:41,335 --> 00:23:41,904: mislaid 3303 00:23:41,904 --> 00:23:42,115: me, 3304 00:23:42,115 --> 00:23:42,295: where 3305 00:23:42,295 --> 00:23:42,384: I 3306 00:23:42,384 --> 00:23:42,625: was 3307 00:23:42,625 --> 00:23:43,105: not 3308 00:23:43,105 --> 00:23:43,704: outright 3309 00:23:43,704 --> 00:23:44,334: spurned 3310 00:23:44,334 --> 00:23:44,424: in 3311 00:23:44,424 --> 00:23:44,605: my 3312 00:23:44,605 --> 00:23:45,505: inquiries. 3313 00:23:45,505 --> 00:23:46,015: Months 3314 00:23:46,015 --> 00:23:46,105: I 3315 00:23:46,105 --> 00:23:46,255: was 3316 00:23:46,255 --> 00:23:46,525: sent 3317 00:23:46,525 --> 00:23:46,644: in 3318 00:23:46,644 --> 00:23:46,884: errant 3319 00:23:46,884 --> 00:23:47,305: circles, 3320 00:23:47,305 --> 00:23:47,424: to 3321 00:23:47,424 --> 00:23:47,724: this 3322 00:23:47,724 --> 00:23:48,085: mountain 3323 00:23:48,085 --> 00:23:48,204: or 3324 00:23:48,204 --> 00:23:48,565: that, 3325 00:23:48,565 --> 00:23:48,684: to 3326 00:23:48,684 --> 00:23:49,045: some 3327 00:23:49,045 --> 00:23:49,494: distant 3328 00:23:49,494 --> 00:23:49,855: loch 3329 00:23:49,855 --> 00:23:49,974: or 3330 00:23:49,974 --> 00:23:50,424: misty 3331 00:23:50,424 --> 00:23:50,904: cavern 3332 00:23:50,904 --> 00:23:51,174: rife 3333 00:23:51,174 --> 00:23:51,325: with 3334 00:23:51,325 --> 00:23:52,345: Draugar.” 3335 00:23:52,345 --> 00:23:52,555: He 3336 00:23:52,555 --> 00:23:53,005: laughed 3337 00:23:53,005 --> 00:23:53,575: warmly 3338 00:23:53,575 --> 00:23:53,694: and 3339 00:23:53,694 --> 00:23:54,055: shook 3340 00:23:54,055 --> 00:23:54,204: his 3341 00:23:54,204 --> 00:23:55,795: head. “Nay, 3342 00:23:55,795 --> 00:23:55,944: I 3343 00:23:55,944 --> 00:23:56,244: had 3344 00:23:56,244 --> 00:23:56,785: stalk 3345 00:23:56,785 --> 00:23:57,265: the locals 3346 00:23:57,265 --> 00:23:57,384: as 3347 00:23:57,384 --> 00:23:57,565: might 3348 00:23:57,565 --> 00:23:57,625: a 3349 00:23:57,625 --> 00:23:58,345: thief, 3350 00:23:58,345 --> 00:23:58,884: following 3351 00:23:58,884 --> 00:23:59,065: them 3352 00:23:59,065 --> 00:23:59,214: and 3353 00:23:59,214 --> 00:23:59,875: failing 3354 00:23:59,875 --> 00:24:00,265: time 3355 00:24:00,265 --> 00:24:00,565: after 3356 00:24:00,565 --> 00:24:01,045: time, 3357 00:24:01,045 --> 00:24:01,194: for 3358 00:24:01,194 --> 00:24:01,375: they 3359 00:24:01,375 --> 00:24:01,674: know 3360 00:24:01,674 --> 00:24:01,914: these 3361 00:24:01,914 --> 00:24:02,335: trails 3362 00:24:02,335 --> 00:24:02,664: far 3363 00:24:02,664 --> 00:24:02,934: better 3364 00:24:02,934 --> 00:24:03,085: than 3365 00:24:03,085 --> 00:24:03,744: I, 3366 00:24:03,744 --> 00:24:04,164: until 3367 00:24:04,164 --> 00:24:04,285: I 3368 00:24:04,285 --> 00:24:04,525: was 3369 00:24:04,525 --> 00:24:04,795: able 3370 00:24:04,795 --> 00:24:04,914: to 3371 00:24:04,914 --> 00:24:05,515: discover 3372 00:24:05,515 --> 00:24:05,904: this 3373 00:24:05,904 --> 00:24:06,654: fabulous 3374 00:24:06,654 --> 00:24:07,075: clearing 3375 00:24:07,075 --> 00:24:07,168: and 3376 00:24:07,168 --> 00:24:07,315: the 3377 00:24:07,315 --> 00:24:07,734: lake 3378 00:24:07,734 --> 00:24:07,914: of 3379 00:24:07,914 --> 00:24:08,214: your 3380 00:24:08,214 --> 00:24:10,734: lairing.”
Jade 3381 00:24:10,734 --> 00:24:11,214: bobbed 3382 00:24:11,214 --> 00:24:11,335: her 3383 00:24:11,335 --> 00:24:11,934: massive 3384 00:24:11,934 --> 00:24:12,265: head 3385 00:24:12,265 --> 00:24:12,835: slowly 3386 00:24:12,835 --> 00:24:12,984: with 3387 00:24:12,984 --> 00:24:13,045: a 3388 00:24:13,045 --> 00:24:13,615: slight 3389 00:24:13,615 --> 00:24:14,005: drawing 3390 00:24:14,005 --> 00:24:14,122: at 3391 00:24:14,122 --> 00:24:14,184: the 3392 00:24:14,184 --> 00:24:14,664: corners 3393 00:24:14,664 --> 00:24:14,785: of 3394 00:24:14,785 --> 00:24:14,904: her 3395 00:24:14,904 --> 00:24:15,355: great maw in 3396 00:24:15,355 --> 00:24:15,535: the 3397 00:24:15,535 --> 00:24:16,134: barest of 3398 00:24:16,134 --> 00:24:17,694: smiles. “And 3399 00:24:17,694 --> 00:24:18,565: so, 3400 00:24:18,565 --> 00:24:19,075: now 3401 00:24:19,075 --> 00:24:19,224: you 3402 00:24:19,224 --> 00:24:19,914: are here 3403 00:24:19,914 --> 00:24:20,065: with 3404 00:24:20,065 --> 00:24:20,275: your 3405 00:24:20,275 --> 00:24:21,474: melodious 3406 00:24:21,474 --> 00:24:23,125: music.” 3407 00:24:23,125 --> 00:24:23,365: Her 3408 00:24:23,365 --> 00:24:23,994: rumbling 3409 00:24:23,994 --> 00:24:24,684: observation 3410 00:24:24,684 --> 00:24:24,865: was 3411 00:24:24,865 --> 00:24:25,345: laced 3412 00:24:25,345 --> 00:24:25,974: with sardonic 3413 00:24:25,974 --> 00:24:31,375: humor. “And ostentatious plumage. What, then, 3414 00:24:31,375 --> 00:24:31,525: would 3415 00:24:31,525 --> 00:24:31,674: you 3416 00:24:31,674 --> 00:24:32,244: request 3417 00:24:32,244 --> 00:24:32,335: of 3418 00:24:32,335 --> 00:24:33,234: me? 3419 00:24:33,234 --> 00:24:33,565: Even 3420 00:24:33,565 --> 00:24:33,984: should 3421 00:24:33,984 --> 00:24:34,134: I 3422 00:24:34,134 --> 00:24:34,434: allow 3423 00:24:34,434 --> 00:24:34,974: it 3424 00:24:34,974 --> 00:24:35,154: you 3425 00:24:35,154 --> 00:24:35,365: would 3426 00:24:35,365 --> 00:24:35,755: need 3427 00:24:35,755 --> 00:24:35,964: to 3428 00:24:35,964 --> 00:24:36,384: breathe 3429 00:24:36,384 --> 00:24:36,595: like 3430 00:24:36,595 --> 00:24:36,684: a 3431 00:24:36,684 --> 00:24:37,194: fish 3432 00:24:37,194 --> 00:24:37,345: to 3433 00:24:37,345 --> 00:24:37,674: reach 3434 00:24:37,674 --> 00:24:39,445: it.”
“Nay, 3435 00:24:39,445 --> 00:24:39,924: majestic 3436 00:24:39,924 --> 00:24:40,194: Lady, 3437 00:24:40,194 --> 00:24:40,434: there is 3438 00:24:40,434 --> 00:24:40,615: no 3439 00:24:40,615 --> 00:24:40,825: need 3440 00:24:40,825 --> 00:24:40,914: for 3441 00:24:40,914 --> 00:24:41,545: that. 3442 00:24:41,545 --> 00:24:41,694: You 3443 00:24:41,694 --> 00:24:41,845: have 3444 00:24:41,845 --> 00:24:42,384: already 3445 00:24:42,384 --> 00:24:42,775: borne 3446 00:24:42,775 --> 00:24:42,894: the 3447 00:24:42,894 --> 00:24:43,345: treasure 3448 00:24:43,345 --> 00:24:43,464: I 3449 00:24:43,464 --> 00:24:43,855: seek 3450 00:24:43,855 --> 00:24:44,484: directly 3451 00:24:44,484 --> 00:24:44,605: to 3452 00:24:44,605 --> 00:24:44,815: this 3453 00:24:44,815 --> 00:24:46,255: meeting.”
The 3454 00:24:46,255 --> 00:24:46,914: dragon’s 3455 00:24:46,914 --> 00:24:47,335: great 3456 00:24:47,335 --> 00:24:47,755: head 3457 00:24:47,755 --> 00:24:48,204: tilted 3458 00:24:48,204 --> 00:24:49,134: slightly, 3459 00:24:49,134 --> 00:24:49,644: drawing 3460 00:24:49,644 --> 00:24:49,974: up 3461 00:24:49,974 --> 00:24:50,275: and 3462 00:24:50,275 --> 00:24:50,454: back 3463 00:24:50,454 --> 00:24:50,575: to 3464 00:24:50,575 --> 00:24:50,815: look 3465 00:24:50,815 --> 00:24:51,115: down 3466 00:24:51,115 --> 00:24:51,204: at 3467 00:24:51,204 --> 00:24:51,805: him, 3468 00:24:51,805 --> 00:24:52,585: brilliant 3469 00:24:52,585 --> 00:24:53,154: eyes 3470 00:24:53,154 --> 00:24:53,785: narrowing 3471 00:24:53,785 --> 00:24:53,904: in 3472 00:24:53,904 --> 00:24:55,884: suspicion. “Did 3473 00:24:55,884 --> 00:24:56,095: I 3474 00:24:56,095 --> 00:24:57,144: now? 3475 00:24:57,144 --> 00:24:57,414: And 3476 00:24:57,414 --> 00:24:57,954: what, 3477 00:24:57,954 --> 00:24:58,434: pray, 3478 00:24:58,434 --> 00:24:58,674: have 3479 00:24:58,674 --> 00:24:58,795: I 3480 00:24:58,795 --> 00:24:59,154: brought 3481 00:24:59,154 --> 00:24:59,275: to 3482 00:24:59,275 --> 00:24:59,484: you 3483 00:24:59,484 --> 00:24:59,694: that 3484 00:24:59,694 --> 00:24:59,845: you 3485 00:24:59,845 --> 00:25:00,085: could 3486 00:25:00,085 --> 00:25:00,384: not 3487 00:25:00,384 --> 00:25:00,835: find 3488 00:25:00,835 --> 00:25:01,164: among 3489 00:25:01,164 --> 00:25:01,255: the 3490 00:25:01,255 --> 00:25:01,795: hoards 3491 00:25:01,795 --> 00:25:01,914: you 3492 00:25:01,914 --> 00:25:02,035: have 3493 00:25:02,035 --> 00:25:02,545: already 3494 00:25:02,545 --> 00:25:04,464: captured?”
“Your 3495 00:25:04,464 --> 00:25:06,055: heart.”
The 3496 00:25:06,055 --> 00:25:06,505: emerald 3497 00:25:06,505 --> 00:25:07,134: dragon’s 3498 00:25:07,134 --> 00:25:07,555: eyes 3499 00:25:07,555 --> 00:25:07,944: shot 3500 00:25:07,944 --> 00:25:08,904: wide, pupils 3501 00:25:08,904 --> 00:25:09,595: narrowing 3502 00:25:09,595 --> 00:25:09,714: to 3503 00:25:09,714 --> 00:25:10,464: slits 3504 00:25:10,464 --> 00:25:10,855: before 3505 00:25:10,855 --> 00:25:11,484: growing 3506 00:25:11,484 --> 00:25:12,115: round 3507 00:25:12,115 --> 00:25:12,234: as 3508 00:25:12,234 --> 00:25:12,474: she 3509 00:25:12,474 --> 00:25:12,984: drew 3510 00:25:12,984 --> 00:25:13,255: in 3511 00:25:13,255 --> 00:25:13,315: a 3512 00:25:13,315 --> 00:25:13,914: shocked 3513 00:25:13,914 --> 00:25:15,775: breath. “My -” 3514 00:25:15,775 --> 00:25:16,194: She 3515 00:25:16,194 --> 00:25:16,615: gaped 3516 00:25:16,615 --> 00:25:16,734: with 3517 00:25:16,734 --> 00:25:16,855: a 3518 00:25:16,855 --> 00:25:17,724: growing 3519 00:25:17,724 --> 00:25:18,414: growl 3520 00:25:18,414 --> 00:25:18,625: that 3521 00:25:18,625 --> 00:25:19,315: rapidly 3522 00:25:19,315 --> 00:25:19,808: approached 3523 00:25:19,808 --> 00:25:19,974: the 3524 00:25:19,974 --> 00:25:20,424: earlier 3525 00:25:20,424 --> 00:25:20,875: angry 3526 00:25:20,875 --> 00:25:21,384: steam 3527 00:25:21,384 --> 00:25:21,775: kettle 3528 00:25:21,775 --> 00:25:22,615: shriek. 3529 00:25:22,615 --> 00:25:23,305: Abruptly 3530 00:25:23,305 --> 00:25:23,454: her 3531 00:25:23,454 --> 00:25:23,994: maw 3532 00:25:23,994 --> 00:25:24,474: gaped 3533 00:25:24,474 --> 00:25:24,565: and 3534 00:25:24,565 --> 00:25:24,744: her 3535 00:25:24,744 --> 00:25:25,285: tongue 3536 00:25:25,285 --> 00:25:25,674: drew 3537 00:25:25,674 --> 00:25:25,944: up 3538 00:25:25,944 --> 00:25:26,305: along 3539 00:25:26,305 --> 00:25:26,424: the 3540 00:25:26,424 --> 00:25:26,875: roof 3541 00:25:26,875 --> 00:25:27,025: of 3542 00:25:27,025 --> 00:25:27,174: her 3543 00:25:27,174 --> 00:25:27,805: long, 3544 00:25:27,805 --> 00:25:28,194: deep 3545 00:25:28,194 --> 00:25:28,674: maw 3546 00:25:28,674 --> 00:25:29,365: lined 3547 00:25:29,365 --> 00:25:29,634: with 3548 00:25:29,634 --> 00:25:30,204: deadly 3549 00:25:30,204 --> 00:25:30,660: sharp 3550 00:25:30,660 --> 00:25:30,954: teeth 3551 00:25:30,954 --> 00:25:31,105: to 3552 00:25:31,105 --> 00:25:31,795: expose 3553 00:25:31,795 --> 00:25:31,855: a 3554 00:25:31,855 --> 00:25:32,244: pair 3555 00:25:32,244 --> 00:25:32,394: of 3556 00:25:32,394 --> 00:25:32,785: vents 3557 00:25:32,785 --> 00:25:33,144: along 3558 00:25:33,144 --> 00:25:34,015: its root. 3559 00:25:34,015 --> 00:25:34,224: With 3560 00:25:34,224 --> 00:25:34,285: a 3561 00:25:34,285 --> 00:25:34,765: quick, 3562 00:25:34,765 --> 00:25:35,575: muscular 3563 00:25:35,575 --> 00:25:35,964: ripple 3564 00:25:35,964 --> 00:25:36,055: of 3565 00:25:36,055 --> 00:25:36,174: her 3566 00:25:36,174 --> 00:25:36,775: powerful 3567 00:25:36,775 --> 00:25:37,315: throat 3568 00:25:37,315 --> 00:25:37,525: she 3569 00:25:37,525 --> 00:25:37,795: sent 3570 00:25:37,795 --> 00:25:38,125: two 3571 00:25:38,125 --> 00:25:38,904: streams 3572 00:25:38,904 --> 00:25:39,085: of 3573 00:25:39,085 --> 00:25:39,744: steaming 3574 00:25:39,744 --> 00:25:40,404: blue-green 3575 00:25:40,404 --> 00:25:40,825: liquid 3576 00:25:40,825 --> 00:25:41,065: from 3577 00:25:41,065 --> 00:25:42,295: them.
The knight 3578 00:25:42,295 --> 00:25:42,654: sat 3579 00:25:42,654 --> 00:25:42,865: more 3580 00:25:42,865 --> 00:25:43,285: fully 3581 00:25:43,285 --> 00:25:43,704: upright 3582 00:25:43,704 --> 00:25:43,884: when 3583 00:25:43,884 --> 00:25:44,035: her 3584 00:25:44,035 --> 00:25:44,305: head 3585 00:25:44,305 --> 00:25:44,515: drew 3586 00:25:44,515 --> 00:25:45,055: back, 3587 00:25:45,055 --> 00:25:45,384: one 3588 00:25:45,384 --> 00:25:45,775: hand 3589 00:25:45,775 --> 00:25:46,255: raising 3590 00:25:46,255 --> 00:25:46,375: in 3591 00:25:46,375 --> 00:25:46,434: a 3592 00:25:46,434 --> 00:25:46,914: brief, 3593 00:25:46,914 --> 00:25:47,454: staying 3594 00:25:47,454 --> 00:25:47,845: gesture 3595 00:25:47,845 --> 00:25:48,144: before 3596 00:25:48,144 --> 00:25:48,625: lifting 3597 00:25:48,625 --> 00:25:48,714: to 3598 00:25:48,714 --> 00:25:49,194: slap 3599 00:25:49,194 --> 00:25:49,464: down 3600 00:25:49,464 --> 00:25:49,555: the 3601 00:25:49,555 --> 00:25:49,974: visor 3602 00:25:49,974 --> 00:25:50,095: of 3603 00:25:50,095 --> 00:25:50,365: his 3604 00:25:50,365 --> 00:25:50,605: night 3605 00:25:50,605 --> 00:25:50,904: black 3606 00:25:50,904 --> 00:25:51,805: helm. 3607 00:25:51,805 --> 00:25:51,984: The 3608 00:25:51,984 --> 00:25:52,555: liquid, 3609 00:25:52,555 --> 00:25:53,184: thick 3610 00:25:53,184 --> 00:25:53,394: and 3611 00:25:53,394 --> 00:25:54,204: viscous, 3612 00:25:54,204 --> 00:25:55,105: splashed 3613 00:25:55,105 --> 00:25:55,615: across 3614 00:25:55,615 --> 00:25:55,825: his 3615 00:25:55,825 --> 00:25:56,214: seated 3616 00:25:56,214 --> 00:25:56,605: form 3617 00:25:56,605 --> 00:25:56,694: and 3618 00:25:56,694 --> 00:25:56,785: the 3619 00:25:56,785 --> 00:25:57,085: rock 3620 00:25:57,085 --> 00:25:57,714: beneath, 3621 00:25:57,714 --> 00:25:58,315: hissing 3622 00:25:58,315 --> 00:25:58,464: and 3623 00:25:58,464 --> 00:25:59,035: popping 3624 00:25:59,035 --> 00:26:00,325: angrily. 3625 00:26:00,325 --> 00:26:00,474: The 3626 00:26:00,474 --> 00:26:01,105: stone 3627 00:26:01,105 --> 00:26:01,644: chirped 3628 00:26:01,644 --> 00:26:01,765: and 3629 00:26:01,765 --> 00:26:02,335: sang 3630 00:26:02,335 --> 00:26:02,484: as 3631 00:26:02,484 --> 00:26:02,605: the 3632 00:26:02,605 --> 00:26:03,025: acid 3633 00:26:03,025 --> 00:26:03,325: ate 3634 00:26:03,325 --> 00:26:03,535: into 3635 00:26:03,535 --> 00:26:03,744: its 3636 00:26:03,744 --> 00:26:04,164: ancient 3637 00:26:04,164 --> 00:26:05,244: surface, 3638 00:26:05,244 --> 00:26:05,394: the 3639 00:26:05,394 --> 00:26:05,934: grass 3640 00:26:05,934 --> 00:26:06,055: and 3641 00:26:06,055 --> 00:26:06,535: flowers 3642 00:26:06,535 --> 00:26:06,924: about 3643 00:26:06,924 --> 00:26:07,045: it 3644 00:26:07,045 --> 00:26:07,555: simply 3645 00:26:07,555 --> 00:26:08,125: melting 3646 00:26:08,125 --> 00:26:08,454: without 3647 00:26:08,454 --> 00:26:10,914: protest. “NO!” 3648 00:26:10,914 --> 00:26:11,365: She 3649 00:26:11,365 --> 00:26:11,816: bellowed 3650 00:26:11,816 --> 00:26:11,934: at 3651 00:26:11,934 --> 00:26:12,025: the 3652 00:26:12,025 --> 00:26:12,535: still 3653 00:26:12,535 --> 00:26:12,954: seated 3654 00:26:12,954 --> 00:26:13,404: form 3655 00:26:13,404 --> 00:26:13,525: in 3656 00:26:13,525 --> 00:26:13,615: the 3657 00:26:13,615 --> 00:26:14,125: mist 3658 00:26:14,125 --> 00:26:14,694: created 3659 00:26:14,694 --> 00:26:14,904: by 3660 00:26:14,904 --> 00:26:15,144: her 3661 00:26:15,144 --> 00:26:15,625: acidic 3662 00:26:15,625 --> 00:26:17,333: expectoration. “You 3663 00:26:17,333 --> 00:26:17,724: shall 3664 00:26:17,724 --> 00:26:18,115: not 3665 00:26:18,115 --> 00:26:18,744: slay 3666 00:26:18,744 --> 00:26:19,255: me, 3667 00:26:19,255 --> 00:26:21,115: scourge!”
As 3668 00:26:21,115 --> 00:26:21,204: the 3669 00:26:21,204 --> 00:26:21,595: rock 3670 00:26:21,595 --> 00:26:22,015: beneath 3671 00:26:22,015 --> 00:26:22,164: him 3672 00:26:22,164 --> 00:26:22,585: began 3673 00:26:22,585 --> 00:26:22,674: to 3674 00:26:22,674 --> 00:26:23,275: dissolve 3675 00:26:23,275 --> 00:26:23,365: the 3676 00:26:23,365 --> 00:26:23,785: knight 3677 00:26:23,785 --> 00:26:24,265: stood 3678 00:26:24,265 --> 00:26:24,384: and 3679 00:26:24,384 --> 00:26:24,835: flicked 3680 00:26:24,835 --> 00:26:24,984: his 3681 00:26:24,984 --> 00:26:25,375: hands 3682 00:26:25,375 --> 00:26:25,674: down 3683 00:26:25,674 --> 00:26:25,795: to 3684 00:26:25,795 --> 00:26:26,065: rid 3685 00:26:26,065 --> 00:26:26,244: them 3686 00:26:26,244 --> 00:26:26,335: of 3687 00:26:26,335 --> 00:26:26,515: the 3688 00:26:26,515 --> 00:26:27,025: viscid, 3689 00:26:27,025 --> 00:26:27,535: clinging 3690 00:26:27,535 --> 00:26:28,585: acid. “I 3691 00:26:28,585 --> 00:26:28,734: do 3692 00:26:28,734 --> 00:26:29,214: not -” 3693 00:26:29,214 --> 00:26:29,454: he 3694 00:26:29,454 --> 00:26:30,265: began, 3695 00:26:30,265 --> 00:26:30,474: his 3696 00:26:30,474 --> 00:26:31,075: voice 3697 00:26:31,075 --> 00:26:31,375: hollow 3698 00:26:31,375 --> 00:26:31,494: and 3699 00:26:31,494 --> 00:26:31,914: muffled 3700 00:26:31,914 --> 00:26:32,184: within 3701 00:26:32,184 --> 00:26:32,275: the 3702 00:26:32,275 --> 00:26:32,755: chamber 3703 00:26:32,755 --> 00:26:32,845: of 3704 00:26:32,845 --> 00:26:32,994: his 3705 00:26:32,994 --> 00:26:33,595: helm, 3706 00:26:33,595 --> 00:26:33,714: as 3707 00:26:33,714 --> 00:26:33,924: she 3708 00:26:33,924 --> 00:26:34,615: raised 3709 00:26:34,615 --> 00:26:34,734: her 3710 00:26:34,734 --> 00:26:35,095: head 3711 00:26:35,095 --> 00:26:35,365: even 3712 00:26:35,365 --> 00:26:36,025: further 3713 00:26:36,025 --> 00:26:36,474: back 3714 00:26:36,474 --> 00:26:36,654: and 3715 00:26:36,654 --> 00:26:37,224: up, 3716 00:26:37,224 --> 00:26:38,005: wings 3717 00:26:38,005 --> 00:26:39,295: flaring out to 3718 00:26:39,295 --> 00:26:39,924: mantle 3719 00:26:39,924 --> 00:26:41,125: the clearing. 3720 00:26:41,125 --> 00:26:41,365: As 3721 00:26:41,365 --> 00:26:41,904: swift 3722 00:26:41,904 --> 00:26:42,085: as 3723 00:26:42,085 --> 00:26:42,414: any 3724 00:26:42,414 --> 00:26:43,105: housecat 3725 00:26:43,105 --> 00:26:43,404: one 3726 00:26:43,404 --> 00:26:44,065: massive 3727 00:26:44,065 --> 00:26:44,755: foreclaw 3728 00:26:44,755 --> 00:26:45,355: lashed 3729 00:26:45,355 --> 00:26:45,894: out, 3730 00:26:45,894 --> 00:26:46,345: batting at 3731 00:26:46,345 --> 00:26:46,464: the 3732 00:26:46,464 --> 00:26:46,825: knight 3733 00:26:46,825 --> 00:26:47,275: four 3734 00:26:47,275 --> 00:26:47,904: times 3735 00:26:47,904 --> 00:26:48,025: in 3736 00:26:48,025 --> 00:26:48,505: rapid 3737 00:26:48,505 --> 00:26:49,914: succession. 3738 00:26:49,914 --> 00:26:50,275: Only 3739 00:26:50,275 --> 00:26:50,634: one 3740 00:26:50,634 --> 00:26:51,295: connected, 3741 00:26:51,295 --> 00:26:51,714: sending 3742 00:26:51,714 --> 00:26:51,894: him 3743 00:26:51,894 --> 00:26:52,555: toppling 3744 00:26:52,555 --> 00:26:52,825: back 3745 00:26:52,825 --> 00:26:52,974: from 3746 00:26:52,974 --> 00:26:53,154: his 3747 00:26:53,154 --> 00:26:53,545: perch 3748 00:26:53,545 --> 00:26:53,694: to 3749 00:26:53,694 --> 00:26:54,234: roll 3750 00:26:54,234 --> 00:26:54,355: and 3751 00:26:54,355 --> 00:26:54,684: quickly 3752 00:26:54,684 --> 00:26:55,075: rise 3753 00:26:55,075 --> 00:26:55,164: to 3754 00:26:55,164 --> 00:26:55,315: his 3755 00:26:55,315 --> 00:26:55,825: feet, 3756 00:26:55,825 --> 00:26:56,484: retreating 3757 00:26:56,484 --> 00:26:56,904: quickly 3758 00:26:56,904 --> 00:26:57,055: to 3759 00:26:57,055 --> 00:26:57,444: avoid 3760 00:26:57,444 --> 00:26:57,535: the 3761 00:26:57,535 --> 00:26:58,224: subsequent 3762 00:26:58,224 --> 00:26:58,944: rapid-fire 3763 00:26:58,944 --> 00:26:59,904: strikes. 3764 00:26:59,904 --> 00:27:00,025: He 3765 00:27:00,025 --> 00:27:00,625: abandoned 3766 00:27:00,625 --> 00:27:00,865: both 3767 00:27:00,865 --> 00:27:01,255: sword 3768 00:27:01,255 --> 00:27:01,375: and 3769 00:27:01,375 --> 00:27:02,005: shield, 3770 00:27:02,005 --> 00:27:02,454: still 3771 00:27:02,454 --> 00:27:02,875: propped 3772 00:27:02,875 --> 00:27:03,174: against 3773 00:27:03,174 --> 00:27:03,234: the 3774 00:27:03,234 --> 00:27:03,684: stone 3775 00:27:03,684 --> 00:27:03,805: and 3776 00:27:03,805 --> 00:27:04,285: dripping 3777 00:27:04,285 --> 00:27:04,734: acid 3778 00:27:04,734 --> 00:27:05,335: wholly 3779 00:27:05,335 --> 00:27:07,825: unaffected.
“Milady, I -” 3780 00:27:07,825 --> 00:27:07,974: He 3781 00:27:07,974 --> 00:27:08,575: began 3782 00:27:08,575 --> 00:27:08,815: as 3783 00:27:08,815 --> 00:27:08,964: he 3784 00:27:08,964 --> 00:27:09,295: heard 3785 00:27:09,295 --> 00:27:09,384: the 3786 00:27:09,384 --> 00:27:09,954: sharp 3787 00:27:09,954 --> 00:27:10,285: rush 3788 00:27:10,285 --> 00:27:10,464: of 3789 00:27:10,464 --> 00:27:11,005: air 3790 00:27:11,005 --> 00:27:11,394: and 3791 00:27:11,394 --> 00:27:11,724: saw 3792 00:27:11,724 --> 00:27:11,875: the 3793 00:27:11,875 --> 00:27:12,355: rapid 3794 00:27:12,355 --> 00:27:13,015: expansion 3795 00:27:13,015 --> 00:27:13,134: of 3796 00:27:13,134 --> 00:27:13,315: her 3797 00:27:13,315 --> 00:27:13,944: dappled 3798 00:27:13,944 --> 00:27:14,365: green 3799 00:27:14,365 --> 00:27:15,654: breast. “Oh, 3800 00:27:15,654 --> 00:27:17,785: bother.”
Seeing 3801 00:27:17,785 --> 00:27:17,964: that 3802 00:27:17,964 --> 00:27:18,055: he 3803 00:27:18,055 --> 00:27:18,204: did 3804 00:27:18,204 --> 00:27:18,414: not 3805 00:27:18,414 --> 00:27:18,714: seem 3806 00:27:18,714 --> 00:27:18,835: to 3807 00:27:18,835 --> 00:27:18,954: be 3808 00:27:18,954 --> 00:27:19,525: affected 3809 00:27:19,525 --> 00:27:19,674: by 3810 00:27:19,674 --> 00:27:19,795: the 3811 00:27:19,795 --> 00:27:20,394: sizzling, 3812 00:27:20,394 --> 00:27:20,964: hissing 3813 00:27:20,964 --> 00:27:21,265: bite 3814 00:27:21,265 --> 00:27:21,355: of 3815 00:27:21,355 --> 00:27:21,505: the 3816 00:27:21,505 --> 00:27:21,894: acid 3817 00:27:21,894 --> 00:27:22,162: she 3818 00:27:22,162 --> 00:27:22,555: shifted 3819 00:27:22,555 --> 00:27:22,674: to 3820 00:27:22,674 --> 00:27:23,184: another 3821 00:27:23,184 --> 00:27:23,424: form 3822 00:27:23,424 --> 00:27:23,515: of 3823 00:27:23,515 --> 00:27:24,025: assault 3824 00:27:24,025 --> 00:27:24,474: available 3825 00:27:24,474 --> 00:27:24,654: to 3826 00:27:24,654 --> 00:27:24,894: all 3827 00:27:24,894 --> 00:27:24,984: of 3828 00:27:24,984 --> 00:27:25,105: her 3829 00:27:25,105 --> 00:27:26,394: kind. 3830 00:27:26,394 --> 00:27:26,994: Lowering 3831 00:27:26,994 --> 00:27:27,174: her 3832 00:27:27,174 --> 00:27:27,565: jaw 3833 00:27:27,565 --> 00:27:28,285: further, 3834 00:27:28,285 --> 00:27:28,674: laying 3835 00:27:28,674 --> 00:27:28,825: her 3836 00:27:28,825 --> 00:27:29,365: tongue 3837 00:27:29,365 --> 00:27:29,755: back 3838 00:27:29,755 --> 00:27:30,174: down 3839 00:27:30,174 --> 00:27:30,295: to 3840 00:27:30,295 --> 00:27:30,595: cover 3841 00:27:30,595 --> 00:27:30,684: the 3842 00:27:30,684 --> 00:27:31,134: vents 3843 00:27:31,134 --> 00:27:31,285: that 3844 00:27:31,285 --> 00:27:32,005: discharged 3845 00:27:32,005 --> 00:27:32,815: acid, 3846 00:27:32,815 --> 00:27:33,085: she 3847 00:27:33,085 --> 00:27:33,744: exposed 3848 00:27:33,744 --> 00:27:34,255: another 3849 00:27:34,255 --> 00:27:34,615: pair 3850 00:27:34,615 --> 00:27:34,734: of 3851 00:27:34,734 --> 00:27:35,365: far 3852 00:27:35,365 --> 00:27:35,845: larger 3853 00:27:35,845 --> 00:27:36,505: vents 3854 00:27:36,505 --> 00:27:36,924: just 3855 00:27:36,924 --> 00:27:37,194: to 3856 00:27:37,194 --> 00:27:37,555: either 3857 00:27:37,555 --> 00:27:38,035: side 3858 00:27:38,035 --> 00:27:38,575: behind 3859 00:27:38,575 --> 00:27:38,755: her 3860 00:27:38,755 --> 00:27:39,444: rearmost 3861 00:27:39,444 --> 00:27:40,434: teeth. 3862 00:27:40,434 --> 00:27:40,795: As 3863 00:27:40,795 --> 00:27:40,884: the 3864 00:27:40,884 --> 00:27:41,240: knight 3865 00:27:41,240 --> 00:27:41,634: seemed 3866 00:27:41,634 --> 00:27:41,724: to 3867 00:27:41,724 --> 00:27:42,234: slump 3868 00:27:42,234 --> 00:27:42,744: slightly 3869 00:27:42,744 --> 00:27:42,835: in 3870 00:27:42,835 --> 00:27:43,644: defeat 3871 00:27:43,644 --> 00:27:43,914: she 3872 00:27:43,914 --> 00:27:44,575: released 3873 00:27:44,575 --> 00:27:44,755: her 3874 00:27:44,755 --> 00:27:45,265: breath 3875 00:27:45,265 --> 00:27:45,414: and 3876 00:27:45,414 --> 00:27:45,474: a 3877 00:27:45,474 --> 00:27:46,164: stream 3878 00:27:46,164 --> 00:27:46,285: of 3879 00:27:46,285 --> 00:27:46,734: fluid 3880 00:27:46,734 --> 00:27:46,974: from 3881 00:27:46,974 --> 00:27:47,184: those 3882 00:27:47,184 --> 00:27:48,085: vents. 3883 00:27:48,085 --> 00:27:48,714: Instantly 3884 00:27:48,714 --> 00:27:48,865: her 3885 00:27:48,865 --> 00:27:49,164: breath 3886 00:27:49,164 --> 00:27:49,674: ignited 3887 00:27:49,674 --> 00:27:49,765: the 3888 00:27:49,765 --> 00:27:50,154: fluid 3889 00:27:50,154 --> 00:27:50,244: in 3890 00:27:50,244 --> 00:27:50,305: a 3891 00:27:50,305 --> 00:27:50,815: brilliant 3892 00:27:50,815 --> 00:27:51,174: gout 3893 00:27:51,174 --> 00:27:51,325: of 3894 00:27:51,325 --> 00:27:51,625: bright 3895 00:27:51,625 --> 00:27:51,805: blue 3896 00:27:51,805 --> 00:27:52,285: flame 3897 00:27:52,285 --> 00:27:52,404: that 3898 00:27:52,404 --> 00:27:52,944: retained 3899 00:27:52,944 --> 00:27:53,154: that 3900 00:27:53,154 --> 00:27:53,335: hue 3901 00:27:53,335 --> 00:27:53,515: for 3902 00:27:53,515 --> 00:27:53,845: several 3903 00:27:53,845 --> 00:27:54,535: feet, 3904 00:27:54,535 --> 00:27:54,924: fading 3905 00:27:54,924 --> 00:27:55,015: to 3906 00:27:55,015 --> 00:27:55,884: yellow-orange 3907 00:27:55,884 --> 00:27:56,275: before 3908 00:27:56,275 --> 00:27:56,724: bathing 3909 00:27:56,724 --> 00:27:57,115: across 3910 00:27:57,115 --> 00:27:57,654: stone 3911 00:27:57,654 --> 00:27:58,194: and knight 3912 00:27:58,194 --> 00:27:58,285: in 3913 00:27:58,285 --> 00:27:58,345: a 3914 00:27:58,345 --> 00:27:59,065: roaring 3915 00:27:59,065 --> 00:27:59,605: torrent 3916 00:27:59,605 --> 00:27:59,694: of 3917 00:27:59,694 --> 00:28:00,325: searing 3918 00:28:00,325 --> 00:28:01,494: heat.
Deadly 3919 00:28:01,494 --> 00:28:01,944: acidic 3920 00:28:01,944 --> 00:28:02,515: steam 3921 00:28:02,515 --> 00:28:03,055: hissed 3922 00:28:03,055 --> 00:28:03,265: up 3923 00:28:03,265 --> 00:28:03,444: from 3924 00:28:03,444 --> 00:28:03,775: both 3925 00:28:03,775 --> 00:28:03,835: the 3926 00:28:03,835 --> 00:28:04,434: stone 3927 00:28:04,434 --> 00:28:04,644: and 3928 00:28:04,644 --> 00:28:05,335: the knight 3929 00:28:05,335 --> 00:28:05,575: as 3930 00:28:05,575 --> 00:28:05,694: her 3931 00:28:05,694 --> 00:28:06,295: fire 3932 00:28:06,295 --> 00:28:06,865: instantly 3933 00:28:06,865 --> 00:28:07,285: turned 3934 00:28:07,285 --> 00:28:07,375: the 3935 00:28:07,375 --> 00:28:07,855: viscid 3936 00:28:07,855 --> 00:28:08,275: liquid 3937 00:28:08,275 --> 00:28:08,484: into 3938 00:28:08,484 --> 00:28:09,265: vapor. 3939 00:28:09,265 --> 00:28:09,595: From 3940 00:28:09,595 --> 00:28:09,684: the 3941 00:28:09,684 --> 00:28:10,137: stone 3942 00:28:10,137 --> 00:28:10,315: and 3943 00:28:10,315 --> 00:28:10,795: extending 3944 00:28:10,795 --> 00:28:11,125: another 3945 00:28:11,125 --> 00:28:11,545: thirty 3946 00:28:11,545 --> 00:28:11,634: or 3947 00:28:11,634 --> 00:28:11,904: more 3948 00:28:11,904 --> 00:28:12,595: feet 3949 00:28:12,595 --> 00:28:12,775: the 3950 00:28:12,775 --> 00:28:13,464: beauteous 3951 00:28:13,464 --> 00:28:13,855: green 3952 00:28:13,855 --> 00:28:14,035: and 3953 00:28:14,035 --> 00:28:14,484: dappled 3954 00:28:14,484 --> 00:28:14,845: colors 3955 00:28:14,845 --> 00:28:15,025: of 3956 00:28:15,025 --> 00:28:15,444: forest 3957 00:28:15,444 --> 00:28:16,134: flowers 3958 00:28:16,134 --> 00:28:16,375: were 3959 00:28:16,375 --> 00:28:17,035: charged 3960 00:28:17,035 --> 00:28:17,575: black 3961 00:28:17,575 --> 00:28:17,664: in 3962 00:28:17,664 --> 00:28:17,785: an 3963 00:28:17,785 --> 00:28:18,295: instant 3964 00:28:18,295 --> 00:28:18,684: before 3965 00:28:18,684 --> 00:28:19,194: wafting 3966 00:28:19,194 --> 00:28:19,644: away as 3967 00:28:19,644 --> 00:28:19,944: so 3968 00:28:19,944 --> 00:28:20,214: much 3969 00:28:20,214 --> 00:28:21,265: ash. 3970 00:28:21,265 --> 00:28:21,625: Only 3971 00:28:21,625 --> 00:28:22,404: the knight, 3972 00:28:22,404 --> 00:28:22,674: his 3973 00:28:22,674 --> 00:28:22,884: now 3974 00:28:22,884 --> 00:28:23,214: fallen 3975 00:28:23,214 --> 00:28:23,515: weapon 3976 00:28:23,515 --> 00:28:23,634: and 3977 00:28:23,634 --> 00:28:24,234: shield, 3978 00:28:24,234 --> 00:28:24,355: and 3979 00:28:24,355 --> 00:28:24,505: the 3980 00:28:24,505 --> 00:28:24,924: glowing 3981 00:28:24,924 --> 00:28:25,464: rubble 3982 00:28:25,464 --> 00:28:25,585: of 3983 00:28:25,585 --> 00:28:25,704: the 3984 00:28:25,704 --> 00:28:26,065: rock 3985 00:28:26,065 --> 00:28:26,152: he 3986 00:28:26,152 --> 00:28:26,275: had 3987 00:28:26,275 --> 00:28:26,634: perched 3988 00:28:26,634 --> 00:28:26,904: upon 3989 00:28:26,904 --> 00:28:27,625: remained 3990 00:28:27,625 --> 00:28:27,805: as 3991 00:28:27,805 --> 00:28:27,924: her 3992 00:28:27,924 --> 00:28:28,404: breath 3993 00:28:28,404 --> 00:28:28,884: petered 3994 00:28:28,884 --> 00:28:29,305: out 3995 00:28:29,305 --> 00:28:29,424: and 3996 00:28:29,424 --> 00:28:29,484: the 3997 00:28:29,484 --> 00:28:30,042: flames 3998 00:28:30,042 --> 00:28:32,939: stopped.
The knight 3999 00:28:32,939 --> 00:28:33,595: stood 4000 00:28:33,595 --> 00:28:33,785: where 4001 00:28:33,785 --> 00:28:33,894: her 4002 00:28:33,894 --> 00:28:34,375: strikes 4003 00:28:34,375 --> 00:28:34,525: had 4004 00:28:34,525 --> 00:28:34,825: left 4005 00:28:34,825 --> 00:28:35,454: him, 4006 00:28:35,454 --> 00:28:36,295: untouched 4007 00:28:36,295 --> 00:28:36,565: but 4008 00:28:36,565 --> 00:28:36,805: for 4009 00:28:36,805 --> 00:28:36,924: the 4010 00:28:36,924 --> 00:28:37,434: lingering 4011 00:28:37,434 --> 00:28:37,825: wisps 4012 00:28:37,825 --> 00:28:37,914: of 4013 00:28:37,914 --> 00:28:38,454: smoke 4014 00:28:38,454 --> 00:28:38,664: where 4015 00:28:38,664 --> 00:28:38,964: her 4016 00:28:38,964 --> 00:28:39,384: acid 4017 00:28:39,384 --> 00:28:39,535: and 4018 00:28:39,535 --> 00:28:39,984: fire 4019 00:28:39,984 --> 00:28:40,194: had 4020 00:28:40,194 --> 00:28:40,555: seared 4021 00:28:40,555 --> 00:28:40,884: away 4022 00:28:40,884 --> 00:28:41,035: the 4023 00:28:41,035 --> 00:28:41,484: dust 4024 00:28:41,484 --> 00:28:41,575: of 4025 00:28:41,575 --> 00:28:41,694: his 4026 00:28:41,694 --> 00:28:42,775: travels. 4027 00:28:42,775 --> 00:28:43,555: Stunned 4028 00:28:43,555 --> 00:28:43,674: at 4029 00:28:43,674 --> 00:28:43,765: the 4030 00:28:43,765 --> 00:28:44,755: spectacle 4031 00:28:44,755 --> 00:28:44,875: the 4032 00:28:44,875 --> 00:28:45,325: dragon 4033 00:28:45,325 --> 00:28:45,835: lurched 4034 00:28:45,835 --> 00:28:46,134: back 4035 00:28:46,134 --> 00:28:46,194: a 4036 00:28:46,194 --> 00:28:46,494: step 4037 00:28:46,494 --> 00:28:46,585: and 4038 00:28:46,585 --> 00:28:47,575: snarled 4039 00:28:47,575 --> 00:28:47,755: but 4040 00:28:47,755 --> 00:28:47,845: the 4041 00:28:47,845 --> 00:28:48,204: knight 4042 00:28:48,204 --> 00:28:48,595: merely 4043 00:28:48,595 --> 00:28:49,045: raised 4044 00:28:49,045 --> 00:28:49,315: one 4045 00:28:49,315 --> 00:28:49,765: hand 4046 00:28:49,765 --> 00:28:49,855: in 4047 00:28:49,855 --> 00:28:49,884: a 4048 00:28:49,884 --> 00:28:50,305: staying 4049 00:28:50,305 --> 00:28:51,595: gesture.
“I 4050 00:28:51,595 --> 00:28:51,835: may 4051 00:28:51,835 --> 00:28:52,884: have, hmm, 4052 00:28:52,884 --> 00:28:53,664: phrased 4053 00:28:53,664 --> 00:28:53,904: that 4054 00:28:53,904 --> 00:28:54,414: wrong, 4055 00:28:54,414 --> 00:28:54,744: fair 4056 00:28:54,744 --> 00:28:55,704: Jade.” 4057 00:28:55,704 --> 00:28:55,914: His 4058 00:28:55,914 --> 00:28:56,244: voice 4059 00:28:56,244 --> 00:28:56,424: was 4060 00:28:56,424 --> 00:28:56,875: hollow 4061 00:28:56,875 --> 00:28:57,055: but 4062 00:28:57,055 --> 00:28:57,505: touched 4063 00:28:57,505 --> 00:28:57,684: with 4064 00:28:57,684 --> 00:28:58,164: wry, 4065 00:28:58,164 --> 00:28:59,005: self-effacing 4066 00:28:59,005 --> 00:28:59,875: humor. 4067 00:28:59,875 --> 00:29:00,025: He 4068 00:29:00,025 --> 00:29:00,595: sketched 4069 00:29:00,595 --> 00:29:00,654: a 4070 00:29:00,654 --> 00:29:01,285: bow 4071 00:29:01,285 --> 00:29:01,525: as 4072 00:29:01,525 --> 00:29:01,855: far 4073 00:29:01,855 --> 00:29:02,065: as 4074 00:29:02,065 --> 00:29:02,154: the 4075 00:29:02,154 --> 00:29:02,785: varicolored 4076 00:29:02,785 --> 00:29:03,204: armor 4077 00:29:03,204 --> 00:29:04,644: allowed. “My 4078 00:29:04,644 --> 00:29:05,755: apologies. 4079 00:29:05,755 --> 00:29:05,964: I 4080 00:29:05,964 --> 00:29:06,355: did, 4081 00:29:06,355 --> 00:29:06,565: it 4082 00:29:06,565 --> 00:29:07,375: seems, 4083 00:29:07,375 --> 00:29:07,944: neglect 4084 00:29:07,944 --> 00:29:08,214: one 4085 00:29:08,214 --> 00:29:08,545: small 4086 00:29:08,545 --> 00:29:08,845: bit 4087 00:29:08,845 --> 00:29:08,994: when 4088 00:29:08,994 --> 00:29:09,085: I 4089 00:29:09,085 --> 00:29:09,595: explained 4090 00:29:09,595 --> 00:29:09,684: the 4091 00:29:09,684 --> 00:29:10,164: quest 4092 00:29:10,164 --> 00:29:10,255: the 4093 00:29:10,255 --> 00:29:10,494: king 4094 00:29:10,494 --> 00:29:10,734: set 4095 00:29:10,734 --> 00:29:11,065: upon 4096 00:29:11,065 --> 00:29:12,144: me.”
“That 4097 00:29:12,144 --> 00:29:12,355: the 4098 00:29:12,355 --> 00:29:12,805: treasure 4099 00:29:12,805 --> 00:29:12,954: you 4100 00:29:12,954 --> 00:29:13,375: seek 4101 00:29:13,375 --> 00:29:13,704: not 4102 00:29:13,704 --> 00:29:13,884: be 4103 00:29:13,884 --> 00:29:14,005: the 4104 00:29:14,005 --> 00:29:14,545: flesh 4105 00:29:14,545 --> 00:29:14,664: of 4106 00:29:14,664 --> 00:29:14,815: yet 4107 00:29:14,815 --> 00:29:15,174: another 4108 00:29:15,174 --> 00:29:15,954: dragon?” 4109 00:29:15,954 --> 00:29:16,315: She 4110 00:29:16,315 --> 00:29:17,214: rumbled, 4111 00:29:17,214 --> 00:29:17,634: eyeing 4112 00:29:17,634 --> 00:29:17,755: the 4113 00:29:17,755 --> 00:29:18,535: man. 4114 00:29:18,535 --> 00:29:18,775: Of 4115 00:29:18,775 --> 00:29:19,434: course, 4116 00:29:19,434 --> 00:29:19,555: the 4117 00:29:19,555 --> 00:29:20,005: dragon 4118 00:29:20,005 --> 00:29:20,335: hide 4119 00:29:20,335 --> 00:29:20,454: he 4120 00:29:20,454 --> 00:29:20,575: had 4121 00:29:20,575 --> 00:29:20,904: donned 4122 00:29:20,904 --> 00:29:21,055: would 4123 00:29:21,055 --> 00:29:21,505: protect 4124 00:29:21,505 --> 00:29:21,654: him 4125 00:29:21,654 --> 00:29:22,015: just 4126 00:29:22,015 --> 00:29:22,194: as it 4127 00:29:22,194 --> 00:29:22,494: would 4128 00:29:22,494 --> 00:29:22,795: any 4129 00:29:22,795 --> 00:29:23,815: dragon. 4130 00:29:23,815 --> 00:29:24,085: She 4131 00:29:24,085 --> 00:29:24,204: had 4132 00:29:24,204 --> 00:29:24,625: hoped 4133 00:29:24,625 --> 00:29:24,805: that 4134 00:29:24,805 --> 00:29:25,015: their 4135 00:29:25,015 --> 00:29:25,434: deaths 4136 00:29:25,434 --> 00:29:25,585: would 4137 00:29:25,585 --> 00:29:25,944: negate 4138 00:29:25,944 --> 00:29:26,065: that 4139 00:29:26,065 --> 00:29:26,605: protection 4140 00:29:26,605 --> 00:29:27,295: but, 4141 00:29:27,295 --> 00:29:27,954: clearly, 4142 00:29:27,954 --> 00:29:28,105: it 4143 00:29:28,105 --> 00:29:28,194: did 4144 00:29:28,194 --> 00:29:28,404: not 4145 00:29:28,404 --> 00:29:28,615: even 4146 00:29:28,615 --> 00:29:28,944: weaken 4147 00:29:28,944 --> 00:29:30,295: it.
“In 4148 00:29:30,295 --> 00:29:30,325: a 4149 00:29:30,325 --> 00:29:30,654: manner, 4150 00:29:30,654 --> 00:29:31,285: milady, 4151 00:29:31,285 --> 00:29:32,154: yes. 4152 00:29:32,154 --> 00:29:32,305: You 4153 00:29:32,305 --> 00:29:32,694: see, 4154 00:29:32,694 --> 00:29:32,845: to 4155 00:29:32,845 --> 00:29:33,234: ensure 4156 00:29:33,234 --> 00:29:33,355: that 4157 00:29:33,355 --> 00:29:33,444: I 4158 00:29:33,444 --> 00:29:33,595: did 4159 00:29:33,595 --> 00:29:33,805: not 4160 00:29:33,805 --> 00:29:34,494: simply 4161 00:29:34,494 --> 00:29:34,884: present 4162 00:29:34,884 --> 00:29:34,974: a 4163 00:29:34,974 --> 00:29:35,365: treasure 4164 00:29:35,365 --> 00:29:35,515: of 4165 00:29:35,515 --> 00:29:35,694: my 4166 00:29:35,694 --> 00:29:36,355: spoils, 4167 00:29:36,355 --> 00:29:36,835: or 4168 00:29:36,835 --> 00:29:37,345: vanquish 4169 00:29:37,345 --> 00:29:37,525: yet 4170 00:29:37,525 --> 00:29:37,884: another 4171 00:29:37,884 --> 00:29:38,005: to 4172 00:29:38,005 --> 00:29:38,394: procure 4173 00:29:38,394 --> 00:29:39,234: theirs, 4174 00:29:39,234 --> 00:29:39,444: I 4175 00:29:39,444 --> 00:29:39,654: was 4176 00:29:39,654 --> 00:29:39,984: set 4177 00:29:39,984 --> 00:29:40,045: a 4178 00:29:40,045 --> 00:29:40,644: specific 4179 00:29:40,644 --> 00:29:41,964: limitation. 4180 00:29:41,964 --> 00:29:42,144: The 4181 00:29:42,144 --> 00:29:42,535: very 4182 00:29:42,535 --> 00:29:43,164: limitation 4183 00:29:43,164 --> 00:29:43,315: that 4184 00:29:43,315 --> 00:29:43,555: had 4185 00:29:43,555 --> 00:29:43,674: me 4186 00:29:43,674 --> 00:29:44,125: seek 4187 00:29:44,125 --> 00:29:44,424: you, 4188 00:29:44,424 --> 00:29:45,295: specifically, 4189 00:29:45,295 --> 00:29:45,503: when 4190 00:29:45,503 --> 00:29:45,924: no 4191 00:29:45,924 --> 00:29:46,194: other 4192 00:29:46,194 --> 00:29:46,734: trusted 4193 00:29:46,734 --> 00:29:46,944: me 4194 00:29:46,944 --> 00:29:47,214: enough 4195 00:29:47,214 --> 00:29:47,335: to 4196 00:29:47,335 --> 00:29:47,755: extend 4197 00:29:47,755 --> 00:29:47,964: such 4198 00:29:47,964 --> 00:29:48,055: a 4199 00:29:48,055 --> 00:29:49,224: boon.”
The 4200 00:29:49,224 --> 00:29:49,824: dragoness 4201 00:29:49,824 --> 00:29:50,694: scoffed, 4202 00:29:50,694 --> 00:29:50,845: a 4203 00:29:50,845 --> 00:29:51,325: roil 4204 00:29:51,325 --> 00:29:51,444: of 4205 00:29:51,444 --> 00:29:54,565: steam wafting past her bared fangs. “I would 4206 00:29:54,565 --> 00:29:54,924: wonder 4207 00:29:54,924 --> 00:29:55,585: why.” 4208 00:29:55,585 --> 00:29:55,884: She 4209 00:29:55,884 --> 00:29:56,545: snarled 4210 00:29:56,545 --> 00:29:56,664: with 4211 00:29:56,664 --> 00:29:56,724: a 4212 00:29:56,724 --> 00:29:57,085: wave 4213 00:29:57,085 --> 00:29:57,237: of 4214 00:29:57,237 --> 00:29:57,325: a 4215 00:29:57,325 --> 00:29:57,775: taloned 4216 00:29:57,775 --> 00:29:58,315: forearm 4217 00:29:58,315 --> 00:29:58,434: at 4218 00:29:58,434 --> 00:29:58,525: the 4219 00:29:58,525 --> 00:29:59,005: figure 4220 00:29:59,005 --> 00:29:59,154: he 4221 00:29:59,154 --> 00:29:59,694: presented 4222 00:29:59,694 --> 00:30:00,295: replete 4223 00:30:00,295 --> 00:30:00,384: in 4224 00:30:00,384 --> 00:30:00,565: his 4225 00:30:00,565 --> 00:30:01,164: stolen 4226 00:30:01,164 --> 00:30:04,464: skin.
“Indeed.” 4227 00:30:04,464 --> 00:30:04,644: He 4228 00:30:04,644 --> 00:30:05,005: actually 4229 00:30:05,005 --> 00:30:05,845: chuckled, 4230 00:30:05,845 --> 00:30:06,474: cautiously 4231 00:30:06,474 --> 00:30:07,015: levering 4232 00:30:07,015 --> 00:30:07,285: up 4233 00:30:07,285 --> 00:30:07,404: the 4234 00:30:07,404 --> 00:30:07,795: face 4235 00:30:07,795 --> 00:30:07,974: guard 4236 00:30:07,974 --> 00:30:08,065: of 4237 00:30:08,065 --> 00:30:08,184: his 4238 00:30:08,184 --> 00:30:09,025: helm. 4239 00:30:09,025 --> 00:30:09,234: His 4240 00:30:09,234 --> 00:30:09,625: face 4241 00:30:09,625 --> 00:30:10,194: wrinkled 4242 00:30:10,194 --> 00:30:10,315: at 4243 00:30:10,315 --> 00:30:10,375: the 4244 00:30:10,375 --> 00:30:10,944: stench 4245 00:30:10,944 --> 00:30:11,125: of 4246 00:30:11,125 --> 00:30:11,605: boiled 4247 00:30:11,605 --> 00:30:12,085: acid 4248 00:30:12,085 --> 00:30:12,234: and 4249 00:30:12,234 --> 00:30:12,744: charred 4250 00:30:12,744 --> 00:30:14,424: earth. “He 4251 00:30:14,424 --> 00:30:14,694: bade 4252 00:30:14,694 --> 00:30:15,085: me 4253 00:30:15,085 --> 00:30:15,384: bring 4254 00:30:15,384 --> 00:30:15,625: back 4255 00:30:15,625 --> 00:30:15,684: a 4256 00:30:15,684 --> 00:30:16,075: treasure 4257 00:30:16,075 --> 00:30:16,255: from 4258 00:30:16,255 --> 00:30:16,285: a 4259 00:30:16,285 --> 00:30:16,765: dragon’s 4260 00:30:16,765 --> 00:30:17,244: hoard, 4261 00:30:17,244 --> 00:30:17,934: without 4262 00:30:17,934 --> 00:30:18,535: harm 4263 00:30:18,535 --> 00:30:18,684: to 4264 00:30:18,684 --> 00:30:18,805: the 4265 00:30:18,805 --> 00:30:19,224: dragon 4266 00:30:19,224 --> 00:30:19,464: from 4267 00:30:19,464 --> 00:30:19,704: whom 4268 00:30:19,704 --> 00:30:19,825: it 4269 00:30:19,825 --> 00:30:20,005: was 4270 00:30:20,005 --> 00:30:20,875: gifted.” 4271 00:30:20,875 --> 00:30:21,055: He 4272 00:30:21,055 --> 00:30:21,414: stressed 4273 00:30:21,414 --> 00:30:21,505: the 4274 00:30:21,505 --> 00:30:21,894: last 4275 00:30:21,894 --> 00:30:21,984: as 4276 00:30:21,984 --> 00:30:22,075: he 4277 00:30:22,075 --> 00:30:22,704: spoke, 4278 00:30:22,704 --> 00:30:23,065: biting 4279 00:30:23,065 --> 00:30:23,365: back 4280 00:30:23,365 --> 00:30:23,484: the 4281 00:30:23,484 --> 00:30:23,964: cough 4282 00:30:23,964 --> 00:30:24,085: that 4283 00:30:24,085 --> 00:30:24,204: the 4284 00:30:24,204 --> 00:30:24,595: fading 4285 00:30:24,595 --> 00:30:24,954: acid 4286 00:30:24,954 --> 00:30:25,075: and 4287 00:30:25,075 --> 00:30:25,525: smoke 4288 00:30:25,525 --> 00:30:26,035: tickled 4289 00:30:26,035 --> 00:30:26,154: in 4290 00:30:26,154 --> 00:30:26,244: the 4291 00:30:26,244 --> 00:30:26,515: back 4292 00:30:26,515 --> 00:30:26,575: of 4293 00:30:26,575 --> 00:30:26,724: his 4294 00:30:26,724 --> 00:30:28,194: throat. “Of 4295 00:30:28,194 --> 00:30:28,464: their 4296 00:30:28,464 --> 00:30:28,825: own 4297 00:30:28,825 --> 00:30:29,125: free 4298 00:30:29,125 --> 00:30:30,055: will.”
“And 4299 00:30:30,055 --> 00:30:30,174: you 4300 00:30:30,174 --> 00:30:30,535: believe 4301 00:30:30,535 --> 00:30:30,625: I 4302 00:30:30,625 --> 00:30:30,805: would 4303 00:30:30,805 --> 00:30:31,045: do 4304 00:30:31,045 --> 00:30:31,734: this? 4305 00:30:31,734 --> 00:30:32,184: Simply 4306 00:30:32,184 --> 00:30:32,904: surrender 4307 00:30:32,904 --> 00:30:33,025: up a 4308 00:30:33,025 --> 00:30:33,505: treasure 4309 00:30:33,505 --> 00:30:33,625: from 4310 00:30:33,625 --> 00:30:33,835: my 4311 00:30:33,835 --> 00:30:34,255: lair 4312 00:30:34,255 --> 00:30:34,525: willy 4313 00:30:34,525 --> 00:30:35,515: nilly? 4314 00:30:35,515 --> 00:30:35,755: And 4315 00:30:35,755 --> 00:30:36,085: you 4316 00:30:36,085 --> 00:30:36,654: choose 4317 00:30:36,654 --> 00:30:36,954: my 4318 00:30:36,954 --> 00:30:38,694: heart?” 4319 00:30:38,694 --> 00:30:38,875: Her 4320 00:30:38,875 --> 00:30:39,234: voice 4321 00:30:39,234 --> 00:30:39,835: rose 4322 00:30:39,835 --> 00:30:40,105: from 4323 00:30:40,105 --> 00:30:40,765: rumble 4324 00:30:40,765 --> 00:30:40,914: to 4325 00:30:40,914 --> 00:30:41,454: growl 4326 00:30:41,454 --> 00:30:41,605: to 4327 00:30:41,605 --> 00:30:42,414: bellowing 4328 00:30:42,414 --> 00:30:42,835: roar as 4329 00:30:42,835 --> 00:30:43,839: she spoke, 4330 00:30:43,839 --> 00:30:44,619: steam 4331 00:30:44,619 --> 00:30:45,130: billowing 4332 00:30:45,130 --> 00:30:45,220: as 4333 00:30:45,220 --> 00:30:45,400: she 4334 00:30:45,400 --> 00:30:45,941: spat 4335 00:30:45,941 --> 00:30:45,998: the 4336 00:30:45,998 --> 00:30:46,420: last 4337 00:30:46,420 --> 00:30:48,190: word.
“Yes, 4338 00:30:48,190 --> 00:30:48,910: magnificent 4339 00:30:48,910 --> 00:30:49,299: mistress 4340 00:30:49,299 --> 00:30:49,359: of 4341 00:30:49,359 --> 00:30:49,450: the 4342 00:30:49,450 --> 00:30:50,259: lake.” 4343 00:30:50,259 --> 00:30:50,440: He 4344 00:30:50,440 --> 00:30:50,769: stepped 4345 00:30:50,769 --> 00:30:51,220: forward 4346 00:30:51,220 --> 00:30:51,609: several 4347 00:30:51,609 --> 00:30:52,210: paces 4348 00:30:52,210 --> 00:30:52,299: and 4349 00:30:52,299 --> 00:30:52,630: she 4350 00:30:52,630 --> 00:30:52,960: drew 4351 00:30:52,960 --> 00:30:53,619: up, 4352 00:30:53,619 --> 00:30:54,400: glowering 4353 00:30:54,400 --> 00:30:54,849: down 4354 00:30:54,849 --> 00:30:55,000: from 4355 00:30:55,000 --> 00:30:55,119: the 4356 00:30:55,119 --> 00:30:55,720: impressive 4357 00:30:55,720 --> 00:30:56,140: height 4358 00:30:56,140 --> 00:30:56,230: of 4359 00:30:56,230 --> 00:30:56,410: her 4360 00:30:56,410 --> 00:30:57,039: majestic 4361 00:30:57,039 --> 00:30:57,400: form 4362 00:30:57,400 --> 00:30:57,519: as 4363 00:30:57,519 --> 00:30:57,730: he 4364 00:30:57,730 --> 00:30:58,089: stood 4365 00:30:58,089 --> 00:30:58,450: before 4366 00:30:58,450 --> 00:30:59,079: her, 4367 00:30:59,079 --> 00:30:59,529: within 4368 00:30:59,529 --> 00:30:59,920: easy 4369 00:30:59,920 --> 00:31:00,279: reach 4370 00:31:00,279 --> 00:31:00,400: of 4371 00:31:00,400 --> 00:31:00,700: both 4372 00:31:00,700 --> 00:31:01,299: talon and 4373 00:31:01,299 --> 00:31:02,140: fang, 4374 00:31:02,140 --> 00:31:02,319: to 4375 00:31:02,319 --> 00:31:02,799: gaze 4376 00:31:02,799 --> 00:31:03,130: back up 4377 00:31:03,130 --> 00:31:03,190: at 4378 00:31:03,190 --> 00:31:04,809: her. “Indeed 4379 00:31:04,809 --> 00:31:04,900: I 4380 00:31:04,900 --> 00:31:05,230: so 4381 00:31:05,230 --> 00:31:05,769: chose, 4382 00:31:05,769 --> 00:31:07,119: fair Jhydeshaii. 4383 00:31:07,119 --> 00:31:07,329: For, 4384 00:31:07,329 --> 00:31:07,515: you 4385 00:31:07,515 --> 00:31:08,470: see, 4386 00:31:08,470 --> 00:31:08,710: if 4387 00:31:08,710 --> 00:31:08,950: I 4388 00:31:08,950 --> 00:31:09,309: complete 4389 00:31:09,309 --> 00:31:09,490: this 4390 00:31:09,490 --> 00:31:09,819: task 4391 00:31:09,819 --> 00:31:10,150: before 4392 00:31:10,150 --> 00:31:10,390: all 4393 00:31:10,390 --> 00:31:10,480: of 4394 00:31:10,480 --> 00:31:10,599: the 4395 00:31:10,599 --> 00:31:10,839: others 4396 00:31:10,839 --> 00:31:11,079: sent 4397 00:31:11,079 --> 00:31:11,200: on 4398 00:31:11,200 --> 00:31:11,380: their 4399 00:31:11,380 --> 00:31:11,619: own 4400 00:31:11,619 --> 00:31:12,430: quests, 4401 00:31:12,430 --> 00:31:12,640: I 4402 00:31:12,640 --> 00:31:12,819: will 4403 00:31:12,819 --> 00:31:12,970: be 4404 00:31:12,970 --> 00:31:13,390: king 4405 00:31:13,390 --> 00:31:13,509: of 4406 00:31:13,509 --> 00:31:13,720: these 4407 00:31:13,720 --> 00:31:15,279: lands.
“And 4408 00:31:15,279 --> 00:31:15,369: a 4409 00:31:15,369 --> 00:31:16,089: king 4410 00:31:16,089 --> 00:31:16,750: needs 4411 00:31:16,750 --> 00:31:16,869: a 4412 00:31:16,869 --> 00:31:25,569: queen.”

This 4413 00:31:25,569 --> 00:31:26,259: was “The 4414 00:31:26,259 --> 00:31:31,299: Dragonslayer’s Quest” by Ryx, read for you by Rhubarb, Feathered 4415 00:31:31,299 --> 00:31:33,099: Starfarer. 4416 00:31:33,099 --> 00:31:33,190: You 4417 00:31:33,190 --> 00:31:33,339: can 4418 00:31:33,339 --> 00:31:33,609: find 4419 00:31:33,609 --> 00:31:33,910: more 4420 00:31:33,910 --> 00:31:34,539: stories 4421 00:31:34,539 --> 00:31:34,690: on 4422 00:31:34,690 --> 00:31:34,779: the 4423 00:31:34,779 --> 00:31:35,619: web at 4424 00:31:35,619 --> 00:31:37,960: thevoice.dog, or find the 4425 00:31:37,960 --> 00:31:38,170: show 4426 00:31:38,170 --> 00:31:38,470: wherever 4427 00:31:38,470 --> 00:31:38,619: you 4428 00:31:38,619 --> 00:31:38,890: get 4429 00:31:38,890 --> 00:31:39,220: your 4430 00:31:39,220 --> 00:31:41,650: podcasts. 4431 00:31:41,650 --> 00:31:41,920: Thank 4432 00:31:41,920 --> 00:31:42,039: you 4433 00:31:42,039 --> 00:31:42,220: for 4434 00:31:42,220 --> 00:31:42,789: listening 4435 00:31:42,789 --> 00:31:42,940: to 4436 00:31:42,940 --> 00:31:43,029: The 4437 00:31:43,029 --> 00:31:43,299: Voice 4438 00:31:43,299 --> 00:31:43,390: of 4439 00:31:43,390 --> 00:31:43,690: Dog.