I gave Sir Richard a start the next day as I walked into the library and started looking for a book. He was there talking to young courtier. "My Lady," I heard him say behind me.

"Sir Richard," I said in greeting not turning around, clearly telling him to leave me alone.

"I'm glad to see you made it out of the maze in one piece," He said. Somehow that comment had more meaning then I could read.

"Yes, almost no thanks to you," I said sarcastically, turning around to face him. I instantly claped my hand to my mouth.

"Ha!" He cried, "So it was you! I knew it." I was caught once again. No one was supposed to reveal what they were last night or, once again, that person received a kiss. "I may claim another kiss madam," he said obviously happy with himself.

"You cheat! You made me say that," I cried, trying to get out of the kiss.

"Oh no, I didn't my lady, Thomas here can tell you I did not cheat," Richard said pointing at Thomas, who nodded in agreement. I tried to back away but Richard grabbed my wrist and kissed me again full on the mouth. I shoved him away with unwomanly strength, but I didn't care even though I knew I could be found out. He continued to make it harder for me to stay away from him, to not fall for him. I fled the room tears stinging my eyes and flowing down my face; tears of sadness; tears of loss.

That day I spent in my room, away from the temptations of Sir Richard, until the magician called for me that night. I hoped that he wouldn't make me raid a village again. I climbed the stairs to his tower room and knocked on the heavy wooden door. It swung open of its own accord and I stepped in, much to my trepidation. He was sitting in a high backed chair holding the scale, my scale, in his hands. "Now, do I need to spell you to do this or will you do it of your own accord," he wondered allowed in his oily voice.

"Do what?" I asked in a seething tone.

"None of that my pretty. I want you to raid the village Answick tonight," He said calmly.

"And what did they ever do to you?" I demanded.

"Absolutely nothing, of course. I just want to rule. Now go and accomplish this deed."

I stormed out of the room, anger and sadness in my wake. If I burned the village people were going to die. I knew I couldn't pretend and knew that if I didn't do it I would have crippling pain and he would just take over my body and have my orders carried out that way. SO, either I could do it in moderation under my own power or full out destruction under his. I choose the first one and walked out of the palace towards the stables.

I wasn't looking where I was going and ran into none other then Sir Richard. "Pardon me, Sir," I said trying to sidestep him and continue on my path. He blocked my way.

"Why do you always run?" He asked quietly.

I looked at him and said truthfully, "I fear you." I nearly bit my tongue off.

He frowned at that. "Why do you fear me? Because I kissed you? Or is it what you fear I could do?"

"I fear you because…." I was going to say because I am the dragon but of course the spell held my words at bay. I thought of something, "Because I might fall in love with you. I cannot do that."

"But, why can't you? I like you and I wish that you would return the feeling," He whispered. He was very close now, too close. I had to get away, but my legs wouldn't move. All I could do was stand there as he kissed me again. I could feel his passion, his want, his desire and I forced myself not to respond. When he let me go I walked around him crying once again silent tears. I saddled my own horse, not waiting for the stable hands and thundered out into the night. I didn't see the small shadow watching me go.

I was just over the village of Answick. It was actually more of a town fore it sprawled below me. The people were about to get a shock. I veered from the town and went to the outskirts; the farms. I looked for cattle or sheep, something of the livestock family. I planned to set alight one of the cattle fields and make off with a few and then repeat it on the other side. I spotted a field, the cattle huddled together lowing in fear. I inhaled deeply and let lose the torrent of fire, cutting off the cattle's escape. I looked quickly for the shabbiest cows and snatched one in my claws. It struggled mightily as I flew to the other side of the town. I did the same thing there and had the prize of two cattle that I flew away with as the warning bells were ringing. I hoped that the fires wouldn't spread dangerously.

I landed at my cave and slaughtered the bovine and set in heartily. While ripping the cows apart, I contemplated the fact that I wasn't revolted by this style of consumption. But, then again, I was a dragon and loved raw meat even in human form and had to hide it. When there was nothing but a few remaining scraps I scorched the stone to get rid of the blood and gore; I liked my cave clean thank you very much. I fell into a dream stalked sleep.

I woke a human, naked and alone, and quickly put my clothes on and went into the cave finding my horse and rode back to the palace. The sun had risen fully by the time I could see the palace and prayed no one would notice that I wore the same clothes as the night before. I quickly stabled my horse, none of the stable hands were up yet, and snuck back into the castle praying fervently that I would not run into anyone. As I looked around a corner and saw my door, I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I inhaled sharply in unneeded fear and turned around hesitantly to face my discoverer. It was, of course, Sir Richard. What was he doing? Stalking me? This was not exactly being something I needed. I turned around the corner and fled into my room, hoping against all hope that he wouldn't think something indecent of me. Though I wondered why I cared, he probably already thought me indecent. I shoved that thought away as I hastily changed my clothes without a maid, which required a great amount of concentration on my part.