Finally, Lord Chamsford had captured the thief. The handsome man looked up with a crooked grin, blood oozing from his scalp as he was pushed into the caged horse cart. He sat down cross legged in the straw. He paused to look him over. His skin spoke of a faint foreign descent, though his ragged clothes were local.

Three weeks the Lord had chased this man, who had stolen the prized possession from the Sorcerers Guild while it was in transit to their stronghold. Lord Chamsford, once respected for his skill and power, was ridiculed and the trust that he had built with his peers had been stripped away. How could an Arch Mage let a petty commoner steal from under his nose? they had whispered. The thief would surely pay for this trouble, this shame. But first, the King wished to see him. Lord Chamsford could only hope that they'd both be given their just rewards.

The man examined his manacles, ones that Chamsford had made and enchanted himself, holding them up to his face and peering at them. His sleeve fell away to reveal what he had stolen. The White Dragon, coiled around his arm from elbow to wrist, shone like a pearl. An opaque gem rested in its jaws. Lord Chamsford walked up to the bars, expecting an insult or glob of spit that usually came from cocky delinquents. But nothing came from the sly grin.

"Give it to me." Lord Chamsford said with disdain.

"No can do." The thief responded quickly.

"I'll just take it, then." Lord Chamsford reached up and tugged at the head of the White Dragon. The thief didn't object, and the dragon didn't budge. "It's supposed to come off." The Lord said to himself.

"It doesn't come off." The thief said, taking a hold of the head. He unwound it as if it were simply made of rope, but at the last loop, he couldn't prise it away from his arm.

"How?" Chamsford said. It was supposed to only obey him. That it would prefer this filthy criminal over him was ridiculous. Before the thief could respond, Chamsford sneered down at him and said "The King will deal with you. Say your prayers now." The criminal gave a dubious chuckle as the once-esteemed Lord walked away, his pride and anger burning inside him.