The dragon replies
"Anyway," Kiln says, "What were you saying?" You
try to ignore her strange outburst and carry on. "I was just
wondering what you'd like me to fix you for breakfast," you
explain. Kiln blinks. "That's very considerate of you," she
says, smiling slightly. "Very few humans have the kindness- Let
alone the bravery- to consider such a thing. As for breakfast, I
certainly can't let you do all of the work; now that I'm up, we can
both go and fix something." You, still getting over the surprise
of meeting such a polite dragon, ask what she thinks the gatekeeper
would like to eat. "Gatekeeper?" she asks, obviously
confused. You explain about the man who charged you a magic flute to
enter the castle. Kiln's eyes narrow, and suddenly her face looks
wrathful. You're glad that you're not on the recieving end of her
anger; she looks amazingly fearsome. "I have no gatekeeper,"
she seethes. "It's another of those humanss, taking valuabless
from travelerss... Excuse me, I'll be right back..." She walks
off in the direction of the front gate. You walk to the door of the
room and listen.
For a few seconds there is silence, and then you hear a short cry of
surprise from someone. Then you hear a voice, muffled by the door:
"Sso, you think that you can take possessionss from my visitorss,
do you? I've given you enough warningss, and I'm tired of your
robberiess. I'd rather not have to do thiss, but you give me no
choice... Oh, and I'll be taking that first, thank you. And now, as
for you..." *chomp chomp* *sslurp munch munch*... *Gulp!*...
*Buuurrrrp!* You flinch and back off from the door. You resolve firmly
never to get Kiln angry. In a few moments, she comes back to the door.
"I don't think that he'll be troubling you again," she says,
unconciously patting her belly. "And as for breakfast, I'll just
have something ssmall... Oh yess, I believe that thiss belongss to
you. Now, shall we go and make that breakfast?" Clutching
strongly at the magic pipe, you...
It takes a moment for what you say to register with the dragon.
Suddenly, Kiln shudders and seems to recognize you. "I'm
ssorry..." Kiln explains. "It'ss a recurring nightmare of
mine. A knight is trying to sslay me, wielding a blazing ssword, and I
know I'm going to die, and I'm only 1396; that'ss far too young to
die..." the dragon shivers again, and then regains her composure.
