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Escape

Part 1

The Dungeon

The corridors were quiet. You heard nothing but a few steps of the guards and some prisoners rattling their chains. Sometimes so noisy a guard yelled at them stop. The night has already set its darkness. The corridors were pretty dusky in general but when it was night the dimmed light of the torches, which were hung up in some cells and in some places over the walls, were the only thing that illuminated the darkness.

Midst all this black Mervyn was sitting next to one of the torches on the wall. The light of the torches made everything it illuminates seem orange. Especially at night Mervyn had to stay awake because that's when most of the prisoners -if one would want break free- would strike. But as always, nothing happened this night so far. There could be always something going down somewhere. This dungeon was a big place. It wasn't just an ordinary castle-dungeon. It was its very own building. Specifically created that no prisoner could get out unseen- if it would make it out of the cell in the first place. And if they'd make it out they'd be in the middle of nowhere in a seemingly endless forest. Keeping all those humans in and moving them around was already a hell of a job- the happier the guards in this part of the big dungeon were that they weren't assigned to watch the cells with the dragons in it.

There may weren't many dragons locked up but some were classified as very dangerous which carries the consequence that at an improved cell there would always be at least 5 guards to watch and make sure that the dragon wouldn't try anything. The others were casually locked away in the cells at some corridors with a guard sitting around somewhere hardly staying awake. Dragons in general were held in high security standards. They had to wear next to all those chains some kind of muzzle masks to prevent them from using fire or from making any loud noises. The guards who would watch in a corridor with prison cells for dragons had to wear some additional armor with more steel protectors and carried a tower shield next to a long sword. The guards in the human-area of the dungeon only had some light armor and a pretty basic sword.

Mervyn turned his head to the left as he heard one of the other guards hastily approach. The sounds of the heavy armored boots made him think that it must be one from the dragon-area. -But what was he doing here? Mervyn asked himself. As the guard stepped closer Mervyn could clearly make out the tall tower shield and the light of the torches reflecting strongly from the steel-plates. He was clearly headed for Mervyn as he walked a little faster as he spotted him. The heavy armored guard from the dragon-area pulled all attention to himself- the prisoners that were still awake were lurking through the bars of their cells staring into the corridor. The guard quickly came to a stop when he had reached Mervyn. He looked around before he took the heavy helmet off. His face glared a troubled expression.

„Hey Mervyn. Have you seen -or heard- anything... special here?“ he asked with a slightly worried tone.

Mervyn was wondering how that guard knew his name but at the same time he was more concerned about what the guard just asked. He looked up as his eyes widened in fear and curiosity.

„What?- No, I haven't. What's going on?“

The heavy equipped guard sighed and said „No words to the boss- I might have accidentally let a prisoner slip out of his cell“

Mervyn's curiosity quickly turned into disbelief. „Aren't you from the dragon's?!“ he exclaimed in shock. „What the hell, man! We have to tell the-“

„We don't have to tell anyone!“ the guard interrupted him while laying a hand on his shoulder.

He looked around to make sure no one else was listening to them. „It is no big deal“ the guard looked around again. „The dragon is still chained and is probably just hiding around here somewhere. It wouldn't be able to make its way out of here anyway. I just need help locating it and bringing it back to its cell“ the guard explained. „When everything goes along nicely it will be back without having anybody notice it was gone“

Mervyn looked around with a somewhat confused expression, thinking about this mess.

„So, there's a dragon running around and instead of informing anybody you just grab a guard from the human-part and just...“ he stopped mid-sentence, thinking about it again. After he stared down for a moment he looked back up to the guard „Never mind, let's… just get this done“

„Good, you just go check and pay attention that he's not being around here in this area. I'll go back searching where I just came from“

He immediately turned around quickly and walking back while putting his helmet on. After a couple more steps he noticed Mervyn hasn't stood up and begun looking yet.

The guard looked back and mumbled „You better get movin' “ before he disappeared around the corner.

After a while of sitting around in disbelief Mervyn hesitantly got up while he kept staring into the direction the guard went. He slowly turned around to the other side of the corridor. The fact, that there was a dragon running around here somewhere, seemed very uncomfortable to Mervyn. Everything was dark. It could be anywhere! It was so dark that when looking into the direction he could barely recognize anything next to the few torches hung up in the distance. But he had to look for that dragon! -he told himself. The dragon wasn't probably not that dangerous since it still was chained and muzzled up -at least that's what the guard said.

A little time has passed until Mervyn slowly started moving along the corridor -one hand on the handle of his sword and the other holding a torch he has detached from the wall. He scanned everything that was in sight and double-checked every cell. He also turned around and watched his back every five yards just to make sure. The longer he strived through the darkness the more he got himself to calm down. But he still felt anxious about every step he took. At night -in the human area at least- weren't many guards around. He could be the only one here right now. Mervyn thought about just heading straight to the barracks and tell everybody what's going on but he held it for simpler to just locate that dragon- with some chains and a muzzle a dragon wasn't much of a threat anyways. But it could still tackle him... Or what if the dragon somehow got rid of the chains and stuff?!

While sinister thoughts crossed his mind he heard a kind of rumbling noise coming from a doorway in front of him.

Mervyn froze in his movement. He had a terrible feeling in his guts. He got himself to slowly move towards the doorway which had a conspicuously open door- and peeked around. This must be the storage room. It was so dark he couldn't even look through it entirely. All he could make out were a few crates and some high shelves that had pretty much anything possible laying around on it- mostly wrapped up food and chains. Everything was so dusty that the dust was like some kind of fog in the air the torch he had made visible. The storage room was barely tidied up enough that he could move along between the shelves. There were boxes laying around everywhere. This was truly a messy room! But also a very convenient hiding spot- even for a dragon. Just to make sure, Mervyn had to go in to check if that beast was in here...

He closed the door behind him- if that dragon would make its way out of here while Mervyn was in here he would at least hear it trying to open the door. He then proceeded to search the storage room. Once he has passed a few shelves he noticed that this storage room might be way bigger than expected. He has eventually got to a point of the room where he couldn't see a single wall- only surrounding shelves and crates. To prevent getting lost Mervyn tried to memorize the path he took so far- right now he was just going forward an alleyway between the shelves.

The silence was shuttered by a crashing noise. It came from an alleyway next to him -sounded like somebody bumped into something. Somebody big.

Mervyn pulled his sword, looking around frightened. Just moments after, he decided to run towards the direction he heard the sound from. Quickly, going past the crates and shelves without any further checking. Mervyn was confident that he would find that dragon here somewhere.

After a few more yards he discovered some kind of box that was apparently knocked off the shelf. This must be it. The dragon was here! Mervyn thought anxious. He proceeded running along being obviously not as careful as he was before as he was convinced that it would be in the aisle here.

As he continued to run down the alleyway he soon got into a wall. The alleyway ended here. Mervyn moved closer and investigated the crates and shelves, he thought that this dragon decided to hide here since it was an dead end with nowhere to go. He peeked around a couple of boxes and checked under a few shelves but he found nothing. Mervyn just sighed slightly annoyed and disappointed. Apparently he went the wrong way and must have missed that dragon -this or the sound he heard was something else. Better continue searching now.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sound of movement behind him. As he turned back around Mervyn was met with an unexpected sight.

The aisle behind him was blocked- by a big four-legged winged animal with horns and a tail. That must be that dragon! But apparently it wasn't chained and muzzled up at all. And it was taller than he expected. The dragons he saw were usually just a little bit bigger than a regular human- -and were chained, ensuring they wouldn’t be a threat to anybody. But this one was clearly almost twice the size of him and was running around freely. It must have got rid of the chains and the muzzle. The guard could've told him! How on earth did something like that move around without anybody noticing it in the first place? -Thoughts like these rushed in horror through his head.

The light was too dark to clearly make the color of the scales recognizable. The light of the torch was barely enough to make the outline of the dragon visible and Mervyn didn't dare to step closer. He just stood there- frozen. Holding his sword and his torch.

„D- Don't move!“ Mervyn said loudly trying to sound intimidating. But his nervous and young voice wasn't intimidating at all.

„I do as I please, little man“ growled a loud low voice back.

All of a sudden Mervyn saw the dragony outline move forward and get closer to him- forcing him to back off- into the dead end.

As Mervyn reached the shelf at the end he started panicking. He knew he couldn't stand a chance in fight against a dragon of that size. Not knowing what do he turned to the side to see if he could maybe climb up the shelf. The sounds of the dragon's movement gave him an approximate orientation of how far away it was- how much time he would have.

After just seconds of investigating he suddenly felt his sword being pulled out of his hand and heard its steel hit the ground a few yards in the distance. Mervyn flipped around just to see that the dragon was now standing right in front of him- so close it could feel the warm air coming out of its nostrils. Again he tried to back off but couldn't- he has reached the shelf and couldn't go any further back.

He raised his torch to see more of the dragon just to discover that it was staring right down to him. It had completely white scales with a few dark blue stripes on its front, light blue eyes that were staring down at him in anger and way more sharp teeth he was comfortable with. Mervyn looked up to its head in fear. Breathing heavily from panic. The dragon lowered its head to Mervyn's eye level as it prepared to talk.

„If you try anything stupid I will kill you“ the dragon threatened in a very intimidating tone. It was looking at him like he expected an answer. After Mervyn hasn't said anything however, the fearsome voice added „But I will spare you, if you cooperate“

Mervyn calmed down a little bit as he realized that this maybe wasn't his bitter end and that there was hope of getting out of there alive but he was still very terrified. Some time has passed until Mervyn got himself to talk.

„What do you want!?“ he replied quickly between his terrified heavy breathing.

„Do you know how long I have been trapped here?“ the dragon asked.

Mervyn was surprised, he expected a command. But he didn't know how to answer! He'd try to explain that he wasn't responsible for dragon prisoners.

In his heavy breaths he answered "I- I'm... not assigned to watch over-“

„I said, do you know how long I've been here?!“ it repeated angered and way more loudly as it moved its scaly head closer, baring its teeth.

„I don't know!“ Mervyn answered frightened. Turning his head away from the dragon's face. As he looked back he saw how the dragon stopped presenting its fangs to him. He also could see the anger slightly leave its face. It sighed as it spoke. „Neither do I. I've lost track of how long I've been here in your so called "prison"“ It sighed again as it faced down in with closed eyes. „I miss the freedom of the mountains, the freshness of the air high above and the cooling rivers. I miss my fellows and my home... I let you live when you help me out of here and regain my freedom“ the dragon sounded a lot calmer than before. Mervyn could hear the grief in its tone. He got a little calmer and suddenly started feeling bad for the dragon. As a guard he kinda was one of the people responsible for it. While the dragon was speaking Mervyn spotted a teardrop running down its scaly face.

„I'll try...“ Mervyn softly but with hectic replied. He raised his hand to wipe the tear of the dragon's face. After he had done that the dragon opened his eyes and looked at him in strong concern. A gaze that said «did you just touch me?» Mervyns fear returned a bit. After a while the dragon interrupted the moment they awkwardly stared at each other by asking „Any ideas?“

It took a while until Mervyn got into thinking as he was feeling really uncomfortable in this situation- having a dragon's face just inches away from him. Just a few moments later he had an idea.

„I can try to sneak you through the supply receipt, but...uh…“

„What is it?“ the dragon asked taken up. „...It might be guarded“ Mervyn shyly answered.

„That won't be a problem“ it quickly responded „For freedom I'd fight off a few guards. What about you?“ the dragon asked curiously. Mervyn was confused at first.

„What about me?“

„I need to be sure I can trust you with that. Would you use force against your own kind?“

Mervyn looked down. „I suppose you'd kill me if I wouldn't…“

The dragon got into a short laughter. „What kind of animal do you take me for?“ it said while chuckling. „I wouldn't kill you if you'd just watch. As long as you don't try anything dumb you shall stay unharmed“ the dragon explained while smiling down to him. The sharp teeth in its smirk let Mervyn feel uncomfortable. „So where are we headed?“ it asked with a sort of excitement.

Mervyn looked up with a troubled look on his face as he didn't exactly know where it was. „I'm not sure…It should be around the-“

„Just lead me to it“ the dragon impatiently interrupted him.

It stepped back and stared down at him expecting him to go forward but after he just kept standing there looking up, it just turned around and started walking along the aisle. After a few steps it noticed, that Mervyn was still standing at the shelf, and stopped.

„Come on“ it said with a faked friendly voice while looking back to him.

Mervyn pulled himself together and stepped away from the shelf and moved towards the dragon who was tracking every single one of his movements. He spotted his sword laying at the side of the alleyway, conveniently close to him. Eventually he got down and reached for it.

Before he could even touch the handle, Mervyn felt a big impacting on his back causing him to fall and squirm on the ground in pain, dropping his torch and sending it rolling over the floor.

It took a while until he realized what the hell just happened. Apparently, the dragon knocked him away from the sword with its enormous tail and was now standing there in a combat position.

As he tried to lift himself up with his arms he saw how the dragon has moved right to him, now standing so close it was almost above him. Mervyn pushed himself up and let himself drop into a sitting position leaning against one of the shelves.

He looked up to with a pained expression to the dragon who was visibly thinking what it should do next– deciding if his action was an attempted betrayal or if he just tried to recover his sword with no traitorous motive behind it. Mervyns fear returned and he started to breathe heavy again as he was sure that this dragon was about to do something to him. But it was just standing there looking down to him not even looking angry or baring its fangs or growling at him or anything. It had a somewhat troubled expression. It almost made the impression like it regretted what it just did.

„Get up“ it mumbled as it lowered its head next to his body expecting Mervyn to get his arm on it. When he placed his arm around the snout the dragon raised its head carefully bringing Mervyn up with it. After a few seconds he was standing on his feet.

„Are you alright? Can you still walk and lead me to the exit?“ asked him the dragon quickly in a surprisingly neutral tone while inspecting his body.

„…Yes“ Mervyn just mumbled while picking up his torch– not even looking at the dragon. He felt his back still aching. From being on the floor his light armor got a little dirty.

„Fine then. Lead me to the exit“ the dragon commanded and stepped aside so Mervyn can go front. As he moved past it he could feel the dragon gaze at him impatiently waiting for him to do something. For now he just walked up the alleyway. He clearly heard the dragon behind following him step by step. It was scary having your back turned on something that could kill you anytime it wanted to. But Mervyn tried his best to get thoughts like these out of his head. Those weren't helping right now. Right now he had to remember the way out of this gigantic storage room. When he ran down the alleyways he didn't bother to memorize the path he took. Now he had to find his way out through all the shelves -and with that dragon behind him who would probably kill him if he wouldn't.

While they were lost wandering through the storage room Mervyn thought about running away. Just dropping the torch and run off into the darkness. But this would be a very bad idea and would with no doubt result with his death. He could never outrun a dragon. A lot of time has passed as the dragon suddenly stopped and looked over one of the alleyways.

„Isn't this the doorway right there?“ he spoke a little bit excited. Mervyn immediately turned around and held his torch into the direction the dragon faced. But when he checked it seemed like complete pitch-black darkness to him.

„I don't see anything. What do you mean?“ he said confused.

„Oh, I forgot“ the dragon suddenly commented while smiling down to him „You humans don't have an enhanced sight in darkness like we do, don't you?“ it added in a mocking tone, smirking.

Mervyn just looked back in concern, not knowing what to say to that. The dragon then strived on through what seemed like darkness to Mervyn. At first without him but after a couple seconds Mervyn followed.

They have soon reached the door the dragon was talking about. Without any further hesitation Mervyn opened the door slowly and as quietly as possible as he peeked around it to check if the corridors were empty.

„Is it clear?“ the dragon asked quietly peeking around the doorway as well with his head way above Mervyn.

„Most likely“ he answered, before he sarcastically added „Why don't you check with your super night-vision?“

When Mervyn looked up he could see the dragon roll its light blue eyes and groan slightly annoyed. It then forced its way through the doorway pushing the door -and Mervyn- aside. Afterwards they stood in the corridor looking around not knowing what to do.

„So where is that "supply receipt" you told me about?“ it asked while staring down at him expecting an immediate answer.

„It's…err…that way!“

He randomly pointed in a direction of the corridor as a lucky guess. Actually he had no idea where the supply receipt was. He was just a guard here! But he didn't tell the dragon, he just pretended to know the way to avoid any difficulties. Mervyn thought that when it would realize that he's just as lost as the dragon was it probably would think that he's of no use and get rid of him.

He hastily started walking along the corridor. Again he heard the big movements closely behind him following by step. It tried to move as quiet as possible but was still clearly hearable. Mervyn has been to the supply entry only once. It was a long time ago when he got the job and a guard showed him around. He only remembered that it has been a pretty long way of walking. And he hasn't been lead there directly. The guard back then just stopped in one of the corridors and said that it would be somewhere over there. He tried his best to recall what path they took back then.

All of a sudden Mervyn spotted the light of another torch around a corner ahead. This must be another guard! If he sees them they're both screwed. The guard would probably run and get help and pull all the attention to them.

Kinda panicking Mervyn looked for something he could hide the dragon behind. There was an open cell next to him. Without saying anything he immediately opened the cell door and commanded „Get in. Get in!“ quickly but quietly. „There's someone coming!“ he added as he tried the push the dragon inside with little result.

When the guard peeked into the corridor the dragon was hidden but Mervyn was still standing there- and it was too late to hide himself as well now. The guard immediately spotted Mervyn.

„Ah! Mervyn! You again. Good to see that you're looking out for that prisoner“ he shouted. Apparently, it was the guard that told him about the dragon prisoner who "slipped out of its cell still being chains" in the first place. He was a little nervous since that prisoner was right next to him and if the guard would find out that Mervyn is currently trying to get the dragon out of here he'd be screwed!

„I ask you again: Have you seen or heard anything special around here?“

„Nope“ Mervyn quickly replied, sounding as confident as he could manage.

„Alright then" the guard said after he sighed, setting to proceed walking but then he suddenly froze in his movement.

„Wait, hold up“ the guard suddenly said.

„Where is your sword?“

„My…sword?“ Mervyn asked nervously.

He remembered that his sword was still in the supply room since the dragon didn't let him pick it up.

„Did you loose your sword, Mervyn?“ the guard said sounding serious. „Psst…over here“ the dragon suddenly whispered holding something lengthy in its mouth. Whatever it was it might help in this situation. Mervyn immediately grabbed whatever the dragon was holding and held it up.

„Its right here! My sword!“ he said relieved. As Mervyn took a closer look he noticed that it wasn't a sword. It was a bone. But in the dimmed light it kinda looked like a sword- especially from far away where the guard stood.

„Fine then“ the guard said while walking off. He apparently bought the act. They waited a little until the guard was completely gone.

The dragon suddenly got out as it said „You have a little bit of explaining to do, so-called ‘Mervyn’ “ with a grumpy tone in its voice.

„But first, give me that back“ it ripped the bone Mervyn was holding out of his hand and tossed it behind. „I won't have you hold that potential melee weapon any longer. But now back to you. You still have a little bit of explaining to do, ‘Mervyn’ “

For him it was extremely uncomfortable that this beast now knew his name. The question the dragon asked was also uncomfortable.

„What kind of explaining?“ Mervyn asked intimidated.

„Why are the guards so calm about that an escaped dragon is running around?“ the dragon asked while giving him a serious look. Mervyn had a troubled facial expression.

„Well, uh…that guard and me are the only ones who know about it“ he shyly explained.

„How's that?“ it curiously asked.

„He thought that you were still in chains and not much of a threat. He just informed me so I could help him locate you and bring you back. We held it for simpler to just return you to your cell instead of telling everyone and causing disturbances“

„Ha. Fools. Both of you“ it said provoking.

„Excuse me?“ Mervyn said sounding a little bit offended.

„What, did I hurt your human feelings?“ it answered as it smirked and lowered its head to Mervyn's eye level, smiling into his face. Again, Mervyn just looked at him concerned not knowing how to react to that. He eventually just stepped forward to the direction where he assumed the supply receipt was while he mumbled „Let's just get the hell out of here“

The dragon quickly followed behind him. Mervyn has lost orientation about where he was long ago. He was just randomly going through the corridors in hope of finding that -probably guarded- supply receipt. The long silence was interrupted when the dragon suddenly started talking.

„Mervyn?“ it slowly spoke. Mervyn turned around just to see that the dragon had a gloatingly smirk in its face.

„What's the matter?“ he asked anxious as he stepped away from the dragon who was standing right in front of him.

„Do you really know where that supply thingy is?“ it subsequently asked. Mervyn feared this moment. He knew it would come after they haven't found anything just randomly going through the corridors. The moment the dragon realizes that the human is of no use anymore. But Mervyn tried his best not to drop the act and pretend that he knew what he was doing.

„O- Of course I do“ he nervously said stuttering and blushing red in anxiety. „Why asking?“ he added to sound more credible.

„Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but that sort of looks like a supply receipt to me“ he glared at a door at a wall of the corridor.

„This?“ Mervyn questioned in disbelief. „This probably one of the storage rooms, not what we are looking for“

„Go and check“ commanded the dragon.

„It would waste our time!“ Mervyn protested. The dragon got uncomfortably close to him.

„I said go. And. Check.“ it commanded again, this time way more intimidating and baring its teeth again. Mervyn stepped away from the dragon and quickly got to the door. He opened it slowly as he didn't know if there would be someone on the other side or not. He carefully peeked around holding his torch into the room. There were nothing but shelves and crates. Kinda like in the other supply room. Just way cleaner and tidied up. It seems like this one is way more taken care of than the other one.

„As I said, waste of time“ Mervyn said. The dragon walked up and looked around the doorway himself.

„You do really have no idea where that supply receipt is, do you?“ it asked. Right afterwards it passed Mervyn and made its way through the storage room.

„Where are you going?“ Mervyn asked surprised. Just seconds after he quickly rushed after the dragon. It turned around surprised that Mervyn got after.

„What, do you want to lead the way again? Aimlessly walk through these alleys as well?“. As he reached the dragon he got to a hold and replied.

„No…I just“ he let out a long sigh „Never mind. Go on“

The dragon turned around confused and proceeded walking between the high shelves. At the end of one of the alleyways they both immediately spotted a light. It wasn't just the light of an ordinary torch hung up on the wall, there was something bigger over there. Mervyn remembered. That was the trick about the supply receipt! It was well hidden in one of the storage rooms. But how did the dragon know?

The supply receipt! It must be over there at-“ the dragon shut him up by grabbing his jaw with its mighty claw. „Shut, Mervyn! Do you want them to hear us?!“ it angrily spoke while glaring directly into his eyes.

„Who?“ Mervyn quietly asked. Still with the claw on his jaw. The dragon tilted its head into the general direction as it explained „I sense the scent of some other humans in here. It surely comes from over there“

The dragon looked back down to Mervyn who it was still holding with its claw.

„Not like I expect you to sense them though“

It pulled that malicious grin the dragon always had when it said something provoking about being superior to humans. All of a sudden, the dragon went back to being serious and peered into the direction where he smelled the guards. Apparently thinking about how he could get himself -and his human- around them.

„Can you let go of my jaw?“ Mervyns words were a bit muffled from the claws grip.

„Shush!“ the dragon quickly responded. Grabbing his jaw a little harder. It seemingly wanted him to be quiet. After a while of the dragon staring around and Mervyn trying to pull the claw away from him the dragon suddenly looked back to Mervyn as it said „I might have an idea how you can get me around them“

„What, do you want to fight-“

The dragon stopped Mervyn from talking again by tightening the grip.

„Distract them“ it commanded with a very serious tone in its voice demanding a reply from Mervyn. But he didn't dare to say anything and just looked up in disbelief. When the dragon thought he had the attention from the human he explained „Get them out of the room here“ it finally let go its claw from Mervyn's mouth.

„But...how do I distract them?“ he asked worried.

„Think of something. Use your human brain!“ it replied slightly annoyed.

Mervyn erupted into thinking. How could he distract multiple guards at once by getting them out the room?

He had an idea but it was kinda risky.

„Hide under that shelf“ he commanded. But the dragon didn’t do anything. It just stood there, giving him a grumped face.

„I don't like how that sounded“ the dragon replied.

Mervyn was confused at first but soon figured out what the dragon disliked about that command. He then put his hands together, looked up to the dragon and nicely asked „May you please hide under that shelf while I execute the plan of regaining your freedom, your highness?“

He tried his best not to sound sarcastic.

It drew a pleased smile. „Much better“

Without hesitating it began pushing boxes aside with its snout until it gained a space large enough to squeeze under.

Mervyn slowly walked along the alleyway towards the light thinking about the procedure of his plan in detail. He stopped in the middle. He faked a terrified facial expression and started to take heavy breaths as well as he noisily ran towards the light. As he arrived there he could see three heavy equipped guards sit next to a big gate in chairs. They all looked at him in surprise.

„A dragon! I saw a dragon run around!“ Mervyn yelled frightened. The guards looked at him in shock- at least that's what it kinda looked liked since their facial expressions weren't visible under their helmets. Before any of them could say anything Mervyn added „It's roaming through the corridors! Quick, get it before it kills somebody! It almost killed me!“ trying to sound as terrified and shocked as possible.

„Don't worry, we'll fetch that beast!“ one of the guards shouted as they all pulled their swords and took off running towards the doorway. The steps of their running soon depleted into the depths of the corridor. When it sounded clear Mervyn could hear the dragon shove itself out of its hideout.

„For one second I thought you would have betrayed me and I'd had to lay all of you fools down“ it exclaimed while it pushed itself up.

„But you got it done"

The dragon serenely walked towards Mervyn. As it arrived at the gate as well its tail suddenly started twitching around in pure excitement. Mervyn noticed the impatience of the dragon, grabbed a big key that hung on a wall and unlocked the gate. He pushed one side open and shouted „Go now, you're free!“

The dragon looked at him seductively.

„You're coming with me“

„What?! Why?“

Mervyn asked in shock as he froze in his movement.

„You're the only who knows I successfully escaped this so-called "prison". If I would let you here you'd report to the guards that I'm gone and then they'd look for more me. I can't take that risk. You're coming with me“

Mervyn stood frozen in disbelief.

„What is it, Mervyn. Are you scared of the dark? Do you want me to hold your little hand? Get moving!“ it suddenly angrily shouted.

It was intimidating enough to get Mervyn follow him. The dragon let him go in front to make sure he wasn't falling behind. They both took off running into the woods and the torches light disappeared into the darkness.