The two youths made their way through the city streets cautiously the next morning, to report the assassin to the city magistrates and begin their daily search for a way to pass the winter. The only other option was to stay in the city and defend it from any attackers, which would require an oath of loyalty to Freiestadt and its charter. Not exactly the way for someone already seen as a traitor to get back into the King's good graces.
Johan explained the process to Peewit, who nodded enthusiastically at the prospect of seeking adventures on the open road again. It would be like the good old days. This cheered Johan considerably, and they were both in good spirits when they heard the cloth merchants telling people about the dragons.
"Did you say there were dragons? Where?"
"They've come down from the hills to the south. Rumor has it they've already killed several people."
"How many are there?"
"I don't know. I've heard anywhere from three to twenty. You know how stories like this get exaggerated."
"You say they've killed people?"
"Probably. The peasants I saw said so. There's been a lot of disappearances that they've been blaming on the dragons. They said they seem to prefer livestock and people for food, and they carry them off. Also told me they fly, so they stay inside as much as possible, especially at night. I don't know how much of it I believe; there haven't been any dragons anywhere near here since my great-grandfather was alive."
"Still…it does seem like something worth investigating, doesn't it Peewit?" Johan smiled for the first time since Peewit had found him here.
"Oh, no. We're not going to spend the winter chasing man-eating dragons! I haven't even gotten to do anything fun here!"
"Fun? Someone tried to kill me last night, and then you spent the equivalent of two weeks' lodging on food and ale. I can't afford to keep you here having fun."
The two argued about it a little longer. Johan had made up his mind, and Peewit desperately tried to think of something, anything to dissuade him.
"Please, sir, have you any food to spare for a poor old man?" A ragged beggar tugged on Johan's cloak. Peewit thought he had seen the man earlier, begging by a fruit vendor's stall, but he could have been mistaken.
"I haven't got any food to spare," Johan eyed Peewit, "But let me see if I have a few pennies…" Johan turned to the pouch on his belt to look, while Peewit kept his eyes on the strangely familiar beggar.
"Oh, bless you, kind sir, bless you!" he reached into the layers of ragged clothing he wore as protection against the winter cold. It was a quick, practiced movement; Peewit almost didn't notice the shiv he concealed in his gloved hands.
"Johan, look out!" The knight spun around to see a greasy black wooden steak plunge upward at his neck. He dodged just in time to avoid it. The man lunged at him and the two fell struggling on the cobblestones, a crowd gathering. Johan was able to knock the shiv from the beggar's hand as the magistrate's guards arrived to question the three and take the beggar away. The guards did not question the young mens' testimony. As the city grew, muggings of this sort were unfortunately becoming more common. They were warned to avoid all riffraff, and sent on their way.
Johan and Peewit were less convinced that this was a random mugging. Chasing potential dragons in the countryside was looking more and more appealing, even to Peewit. They quietly returned to the inn and gathered their things and their mounts, wasting no time in getting out of Freiestadt.
"What do you mean it's not safe to travel because of dragons?"
"It's true, my lady, the merchants coming in and out of Freiestadt are reporting dragons in the area. There are rumors among the peasants in the area as well. If merchants are being cautious on the roads, it's hardly a safe place for a Princess, especially one who'd expecting."
"Well, that settles it! She will just have to stay here!"
The king tried to sound disappointed, but in truth he wanted his niece to stay close by. It was Dame Barbara who wanted to send her to a convent after she and Prince Andrew broke off their engagement, claiming it was the only proper place for a girl in her condition. The King missed Peewit and especially Johan. The castle would be dreadfully lonely with Sabina gone, too, even if all she did was mope most of the time. Of course, if not for Johan, there would be no need to even discuss sending her to a convent. They would all still be here together.
After his initial anger at the boy had subsided, he began to worry about his former squire. He really did want him to return, despite all the trouble and hurt he'd caused. Dame Barbara would be livid if he ever returned. She had pressured him to make his banishment longer, but he couldn't do it; not to Johan, who he saw like a son, or to Johan's father Sir Edelhart, who he still considered a good friend after everything that had happened. He especially couldn't do that to Sabina. He had never seen her so miserable.
"We will need to keep an eye out for these dragons, though. Freiestadt is several days' ride from here, but if those dragons can fly like Count Tremaine says, we will need to be on alert."