Chapter 18

“Remember, Roland, this is your destiny, you were fated to slay Veronious,” Magnus said. “The prophecy did not indicate you would be eaten by a dragon.”

“Burnt to a crisp?”

Magnus smiled at that, though it was hardly a jovial matter. “Nay.”

“Nor singed?”

He shrugged. “It does not say so, but I suppose with a fire breathing dragon one can never tell.” He eyed the beast. “On the count of three, we are going to run for the castle.”

“Like cowards?”

“Have you a better idea? Besides, I am quite sure it will chase us and we will be forced to face it. But it is better than standing here waiting for it to bake us, do you not think?”

“Well.”

“One, two, three.”

Magnus began to run for the castle entrance and was glad that Roland had not hesitated and was also running, perhaps actually a bit faster than Magnus.

The dragon roared and stomped loudly after them, squealing its outrage, hot steam sweeping over them as it got closer.