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The Conquering Hero Returns
Into the farming village known as Adelaide did Bryan Croi-Dragon ride! Sitting at the town's well, telling stories to the children was Cloten. It was not until Wotan and Fricka went running up to their master did the jester-turned-squire know that Bryan had returned. Just not did the wolves greet the returning hero but the children soon did as well and finally Cloten arrived.
"I haven't had such a welcoming since my father and I returned victorious from the campaign against the Arctic Deep Empire." Commented Bryan, his helmet under his arm.
"You were victorious?" asked Cloten.
"Have you ever known me to lose?" Pride was in Bryan's voice. As soon as Bryan realized what he had said and how he had said it, he saw the image of the Ender Dragon appear in his mind. All his flaws reflected in her was what he feared he would see should he ever face her, she whom some say the House of Carthach was descended from. Bryan dropped his helmet and backed away with a look of shock upon his face.
"Something the matter, my emperor?" asked Cloten.
"I saw the Ender Dragon." Replied Bryan.
As soon as that name was spoken, the children all gasped. Cloten's expression as shocked as the one his master had.
"Where, my emperor?"
"In my mind's eye." Stated Bryan. "They say Carthach himself fought the Ender Dragon! They say he sent her retreating but died soon afterward. What would happen when the Dragon-Heart and the Ender Dragon fought?"
"You would win!" exclaimed one of the children.
Bryan just stared at the child. Would he? If Carthach could not slay the Ender Dragon could he possibly even have a chance of slaying her?
All the children stared at him. What was he to say? Here were these young faces looking to the rightful emperor. If he was to show doubt to them what would that tell them?
Banished from his face was that look of shock. Bryan straightened up and held his sword aloft.
"I would!" he said. "I would slay her and I would survive!"