Ser Thomas hoisted himself onto his horse, smiling nervously at the women at his side. Everybody in the Kingdom was counting upon him, or, at least, that was how he felt at any stage. The Knight held his sword tightly and placed his shield onto his back. He pushed down his visor and looked ahead. He had this. 

In the distance, he could see the looming, darkening shadows of the clouds above the mountain. Mount Robere, named after the great dragon who resided there. He could see the cracking paved road twisting and turning sharply as it got closer and closer to the gloomy peak. Ser Thomas was scared. What if he failed? The Kingdom would never allow him back home.

With a nervous gulp, Knight Thomas hitched his pack over his other shoulder and lightly urged his steed forward. The cheering of the citizens behind him made Thomas feel slightly better, but not by much. Ser Thomas had never really felt as though he was worthy of his title. He was too cowardly. Not really all that smart. This quest, it was so he could prove himself both to the people of the Kingdom, but also to himself. If he was able to complete this quest, then he would deserve his title. He would feel as though he was accepted. That was the goal. Yet, as he looked at the huge peak in the distance, with its gloomy nature, rainy clouds, and overbearing stance, Thomas couldn't help but feel a sharp stab of fear. 

Once the cries of the people could no longer be heard, Ser Thomas slowed his steed to a trot. The longer it took to get to the mountain, the better in his opinion. The clip clop of the horses shoes against the paved road grounded him and kept him calm. Sooner than he wished, he was arriving at the base of the peak. 

Looking up, it seemed as though the mountain loomed over him, twisting in and around him. A crow called to him in the distance. Yes, scavengers and evil lurked here. He could smell it in the air. It was laced with the feeling. Ser Thomas clenched his eyes shut for a moment before opening them, hardening his resolve and hopping off of his horse. He felt as though this small journey the steed and he had shared had bonded them in a way. Thomas felt a pang of regret as he set him free and watched as the horse began to hurry back in the direction of the Kingdom. 

Ser Thomas began the ascent to the top of the mountain. He felt fear curl in his gut as he got higher and higher, the sight of emaciated bodies and decomposing corpses littering the roadside making nausea grip his body. He had to take several breaks before he was able to continue as the anxiety was puffing the Knight out. 

Once Ser Thomas did manage to reach the top of the mountain, he was feeling so sick he thought he may throw up. Thankfully, he did not. There was a pair of metal gates blocking his way. Pulling his sword from its sheath, he wrapped his small, stubby hand around the cold metal of the gate, and pushed. The hinges squeaked as they slowly opened. He could see the remains of the old castle just beyond. So, with another nervous gulp, he moved forward. 

"Who goes there," a grumbling, hissing voice called out from the dark. Ser Thomas jumped, almost dropping his sword. "Who dares to disturb Robere's slumber." 

In the darkening light, Ser Thomas could see the glinting eyes of something moving. His veins felt ice cold yet he stepped forward. 

"Ser Thomas, of the Kingdom that lies beneath your feet," he whimpered, hands shaking. There was a low laugh. 

There was a loud thump and suddenly the scaly, purple head of the dragon Robere emerged from the shadows. His serpent-like form shook as he laughed. 

"Ser Thomas," he repeated. "What is it you desire," he asked, head moving closer. Ser Thomas stood completely still, ignoring the stench on the dragon's breath. Ser Thomas didn't say anything. How could he ask the dragon that he wanted him to leave and lift the fear from the mountain? 

"I desire your surrender," Ser Thomas called out pitifully to the magnificent beast. Robere snorted, a breath of hot, fiery air blowing onto Thomas' face.

"No," he hissed. "What is you want, Ser Thomas?"

Ser Thomas did a double take at the question. What did the animal mean? He wanted him to leave. Then, he thought, that perhaps that wasn't what he wanted at all. After all, he went on this voyage to prove himself, did he not? He sheathed his sword. 

"I want to earn my title as Knight," he said, louder, and much more confidently. The dragon licked his teeth and lowered his head. 

"People misjudge me," the beast spoke. "They cast me in a negative light. I am no beast, I am no monster. I merely am, and I merely inhabit this castle. So, in light of your honesty, I offer you a gift." 

Ser Thomas' brows furrowed. A gift? What kind of gift? 

"I will leave this Kingdom and find another to inhabit," he said. "And, I will also give to you, this scroll. On it, lies the answers to your troubles at present," the dragon said, lifting his giant head so the moonlight cast a light on his features. The dragon moved his scaled foot forward, and dropped the scroll onto the floor. 

"Thank you," Ser Thomas said. "Thank you so much." 

The dragon nodded and blinked, looking over to the Kingdom that eagerly awaited Ser Thomas' return. "What you have set out to do this day, it took courage. That, in itself, should prove you," the dragon said, spreading his great wings. Without another word, the dragon took flight and disappeared under the cover of darkness. The Kingdom wouldn't even know he was there. 

Ser Thomas looked down at the scroll apprehensively. With a shaky hand, he broke the seal and peered at the writing inside. 

"A+," he grinned, pumping his fist into the air. An A+, he had passed! As he read over the writing scrawled on the parchment, his grin grew. The Kingdom would be so pleased! 

He all but raced back to the Kingdom, his A+ clutched tightly in his hands. Once he returned, the King and Queen eagerly listened to his tale, and the Queen ordered a feast be made for Ser Thomas, and that all of his favourite foods should be brought from all over the world to celebrate his victory.