Hi again, sorry about the cliffhanger last time, I hope it isn't too bad this time around. But then again…I'm the author, I know what happens next. Heh, heh.. Anyway. This chapter didn't quite turn out as I expected, but it's ok. Once I have something written down, it normally doesn't get changed. I'm not very happy with the ending, but it works. The next chapter will make up for it, I promise :-D. I have a drawing for this chapter actually of the dragon, but unfortunately doesn't let me give you urls in this, so I'll post a link in my bio if anyone wants to see what he looks like. Ok, enjoy.

Chapter 4 – Mythical Challenge

It circled above before dropping down into the clearing and landing before him. A creature of unimaginable size. One claw was twice the size of Arthur's hand. It was covered in red scales, like that of a fish, only much harder, providing armour perhaps. Two great leathery wings shot up from its back and curled about it. The dragon's tail flipped back and forth, a arrow-head shaped end looking just as dangerous as his claws. Two yellow eyes glared down at Arthur from a long face with a forked tongue tasting the air. The body of the dragon looked much like a horse, save for the much larger back legs and the red scales, and places of various sizes lining his back; smaller at the head and larger as they reached his back only to grow smaller again. He raised a three fingered hand to stand on three legs and the dragon's mouth opened in a sinister grin, revealing a set of deadly sharp teeth. "Arthur Castus," the dragon hissed in a deep, growling voice.

Arthur nearly stumbled backwards, but managed to stand up straighter. His arm throbbed and he could feel a drop of blood fall off his fingers where it had run down his arm. "You know me," Arthur said finally, looking up bravely at the dragon, despite the pit of fear deep inside.

"Of course I do, just as you know me," the dragon replied.

"Then the dream was your making!"

He nodded, flicking his tongue out again, "It was. Long I have waited to face you, Castus."

Then you also saw to it that Lancelot was poisoned, didn't you, Arthur felt anger boil up inside. "What do you want, dragon."

"I am called Cadogan," he replied, "And it is said you are a great warrior, I come to see. Many 'great' warriors have faced me and died at my hands. The one who lives will be great indeed."

Arthur's eyes narrowed, "Why must you weaken me to fight you then."

"If you are truly great, then you will live," Cadogan laughed menacingly.

"And what of Lancelot?"

"How else would you have come to face me? But it is too bad that you may die here and he as well…Defeat me and save his life."

Taking a deep breath, Arthur calmed his mind and did his best to clear it. He had no choice now but to face the dragon. However, Arthur barely stood up to Cadogan's knee, it seemed an impossible task.

"That's not fair! You're bigger!"

"Of course it's fair."

"It's not fair and you know it…but I'll still beat you to the stables!"

Bigger…the dragon might be bigger, but Arthur was still faster, he could run under him and around him, but he would have to be cautious not to tire himself out too quickly. Perhaps victory was not so far away.

Arthur nodded slowly, "I accept your challenge."

Cadogan stood up on his powerful back legs, bringing his front claws up, ready for battle. Drawing his sword, Arthur took a battle stance, also taking note of what could be used around him. Rocks, trees, plants..there had to be something of use eventually. His mind worked quickly. Cadogan let out a shrill, inhuman cry and lunged down with both claws toward Arthur. The Roman ducked out of the way, slashing at the dragon's hands. As his sword struck the red scaled hand, pain shot up from Arthur's arm, reaching all the way up his shoulder and down his back. He gritted his teeth and Cadogan growled, withdrawing the cut hand for a moment before attacking again, with more viciousness.

The technique of dodging the dragon's attacks worked and occasionally, Arthur managed to strike Cadogan's claw, but it didn't do much damage. No, where the damage would be done is on the dragon's chest, which Arthur had no hope of reaching.

A momentary pause gave Cadogan an opening and with one swipe, he threw Arthur across the clearing onto the ground. The Roman grunted, landing on his back in the dirt. Cadogan's foot appeared about him. Arthur's grey eyes went wide, but he rolled out of the way before the dragon smashed his foot down. Climbing to his feet, breathing hard, Arthur knew he couldn't keep this up for much longer. His vision wavered, the poison took hold when he was tired. Arthur stumbled; Cadogan grinned knowing that his opponent was weakening.

Cadogan swung at him with one hand, knowing it would be dodged, but as Arthur turned sideways to avoid the attack, the dragon brought his other hand, raking across Arthur's back, cutting through his armour into his flesh. Arthur cried out in pain, dropping to his hands and knees, but Excalibur still remained with him.

"I had expected more from you, Arthur Castus," Cadogan taunted, walking on his back legs around behind him, "It is a pity, though I did enjoy the fight."

Arthur closed his eyes, he couldn't get up. Sweat plastered his hair to his forehead and dripped down his face, soaking his tunic under his armour. This was it.

"Oh great Father," Arthur whispered, feeling the ground tremble with every step that Cadogan took, knowing that when it stopped, everything would be over, "I ask only that you would spare my knight's life…for his is more important than mine now. Your servant asks only to do Your will. If it is Your will that I die here and now, so be it. But spare his life, Lord, for he has more to live for than I do…" He trailed off, Cadogan stopped. "Father, if I had the strength to survive now…Lord, grant Your will and give me the strength to meet my end if this be it…"

Suddenly, Arthur felt something under his hand. A rock. He opened his eyes, Cadogan's laughter not reaching his ears. He felt energy surge in his body and grasped the rock with his hand. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, danger was near. Arthur quickly rolled aside as Cadogan's claw embedded in the dirt where he had just been. He scrambled to his feet and threw the rock with all of his strength. It struck its mark, one of Cadogan's eyes. The dragon screeched and recoiled back, reaching one hand up at his face. But as he stumbled backwards, the great dragon fell, shaking the forest surrounding them. Arthur ran over, using the moment's opening to climb up on the dragon's chest.

"Then the fight is not over," he said, raising Excalibur above his head, "And it is not your fight to win." The sword plunged into Cadogan's chest, deep up to the hilt. The dragon let out another cry, squirming around in pain. When Arthur pulled his sword out again, he fell back down onto the ground, his strength once again gone from his body.

"Lord..I give you thanks…" Arthur whispered, closing his eyes again.