They got to the farm and unmounted the horse.

"This is it." Gunther looked to Sofia.

She nodded and stepped up to the door and knocked.

The door opened, and there stood a strong built man, he seemed to be a little younger than Sir Theodore. "Yes?"

"Hello, sir. I am Sofia, the lady who lives here told me about her sick daughter and I said I'd come and do what I can to cure her." She said.

He looked over her shoulder to Gunther.

"Oh, he's Gunther, he brought me here as I am new to this town, and I wasn't sure where this farm was so he offered to bring me." She explained. She took down her hood.

"Gunther Breech?" The man asked.

Gunther bowed his head. "Yes, sir."

The man looked reluctant.

"Dear, is it Sofia?" The woman from earlier came to the door. She smiled at her visitors. "You came, love." She ushered them inside.

The house was lit by many candles and a fire in every room.

"She's in here." The woman said, guiding the two into a bedroom.

There lay a girl, no older than Prince Cuthbert. There was a sheen of sweat on her skin and she was breathing heavily.

"What symptoms was she having before becoming like this?" Sofia asked, feeling the girl's head, and checking her pulse.

She was burning and her pulse was weak.

They didn't have much time.

"She's been dreadfully ill, vomiting, not eating, and not drinking much." Her mother listed.

"Not drinking?" Gunther muttered.

"No, I think she's had about half a cup today."

Sofia stood straight. "Could you bring me a cup of water, a bowl of water and some rags? We need to bring her temperature down and rehydrate her first."

The mother nodded to her husband who went to get what Sofia requested.

She looked back to the beautiful maiden who had come to their aid. "Is she going to be alright?"

Sofia looked down at the girl. "We're close, but you can be reassured that I will save her." She smiled, stroking the girl's cheek. "Don't worry, I will make it better, I will take away your pain." She whispered.

Gunther sat on a nearby stool, feeling pretty useless. "Do you know what's wrong with her?" He asked Sofia.

Sofia nodded. "But it's pointless saying anything because this illness will be gone by tomorrow."

Gunther stood and took her hand. "I'm here if you need anything."

"Awwh, are you two courting?" The woman asked fondly.

Gunther resisted the urge to snap. He looked to her and smiled. "Oh no, we're just friends. She trains me at the castle, I am a squire there." He explained.

She gave him a look that said. 'Sure...'

He left her gaze and looked to Sofia, who was staring at the girl, even in the dim light, her eyes were stunning.

The father came back with Sofia's requirements.

The first thing she did was take the cup and filled her mouth with water. She leaned down and gently opened the girl's mouth before transferring the water from her mouth to the girls. Then repeated the action until the cup was empty.

She shrugged her cloak and jacket off before soaking the clean rags into the cold water, then placing them on her forehead and neck, to cool her fever.

She then used her senses to trace the source of the illness. It was in the stomach and lungs. You poor girl... this can't be cured with regular magic... you're dying...

She turned to the parents. "Excuse us for a moment." Before turning to Gunther. "I need to speak to you..." She grabbed his hand and took him into another room.

Gunther looked at the girl, who still held tightly onto his hand. "You can't heal her?" He asked in a very low voice.

She sighed. "Do you trust me?" She looked up at him.

He squeezed her hand. "You know I do... where is this going?" He frowned.

"This illness... I can't cure it with regular healing magic, I must perform something much more powerful... I need to transfer her illness onto me." She said.

"What?!" He hissed. "If that illness is practically killing that girl?"

"It won't affect me... I'm a dragon, no mortal illnesses will harm me, I may pass out with the weight of the power, but that is all. The girl will be saved. That's all that matters."

He leaned down and placed his forehead on hers, staring into her eyes. "You're sure?"

"I promise... now we don't have much time. Just try to keep the parents calm, or get them out of the room." She pulled away and went back into the room.

"So, what can you do?" The father asked.

Sofia smiled. "Save her of course."

"But it would be best if you leave the room. She needs as much quiet as possible." Gunther added.

The father glared at him. "Never trust a Breech."

Gunther suppressed the urge to growl.

"You can trust him." Sofia stated. "He's nothing like his father."

The mother nodded. "Come, dear. Let the doctor work." She guided her husband out and gave Gunther a smile. "She's a keeper." She whispered.

He blushed a little but nodded.

Once alone Sofia sat on the edge of the bed and took the girls hands and started to perform the spell.

Gunther watched as her dazzling blue flames encircled their hands. Then the flames went into the girl's body, who glowed blue, before coming back out and going into Sofia's.

After the spell was cast, Sofia stood up and kissed the girl's forehead. "May your pain and suffering be passed on to me so that you can lead a long and healthy life." She whispered.

Gunther heard the pain in her voice, and it was raspy. "Sofia?" He stepped over to her.

She looked up at him, blood trickled out of her nose and her eyes dulled a little. "I feel all of the pain she did, but as a dragon I can fight it faster." She said before passing out.

"Sofia?!" He exclaimed, catching the girl in his arms.

She gripped his tunic, panting.

The mother and father ran in on his shout.

The woman came to his side. "What in the world happened?" She demanded to know.

He looked up at her. "She saved your daughter. Your child is now illness free." He smiled, though pain shot through him at the sight of his pretty lady knight looking so sick. Fire... I'll just get her to eat fire and she'll be fine... but how do I ask for it? "Um... is there somewhere I can lay Sofia down, near a fire preferably."

The father was checking his daughter. "She's cooled right down and her breathing is normal." He confirmed.

The mother looked to Gunther. "Lay her on the bed in the next room, it's right near a fire if you can start one up." She smiled.

He nodded and scooped Sofia up, carrying her into the next bedroom.

He lay her gently onto the bed. You're going to be the death of me... without thinking, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. No matter who you are or what you might be... you're making me fall harder every single moment that I'm with you...

The mother was standing at the door to the room, smiling fondly at the scene before her. She walked in. "Sir Gunther." She whispered.

He looked over to her, whilst sitting on the edge of Sofia's bed. "Yes, ma'am?"

She took his hand and kissed it. "Thank you, you brought an angel here."

He smiled. "She brought herself. I was merely looking out for-"

"The girl who stole your heart."

He blushed. "I only met her three days ago."

She giggled. "For the heart, it doesn't have a time limit. You can fall in a heartbeat and it's impossible to get out of it." She went and stroked Sofia's head. "How did she do it? I won't tell a soul."

He swallowed. I don't need to mention the word 'dragon.'"She knows healing magic. But your daughter was so ill that a regular healing potion or spell wouldn't be strong enough. I don't know the details, but she used her power to transfer the illness from your daughter's body to her own as she has the magic and power to repel the illness. She just passed out because of the illness affecting her and the amount of magic she used."

The woman had tears in her eyes. "Such a kind and selfless heart."

"Promise that you will never mention this to anyone else, especially my father. People will just hound her for healing spells when she has her work cut out already being a knight of the king." He warned.

She nodded. "She kept her word, I will keep mine. I'll just tell Hugh that she had herbs and stuff to heal Rebecca."

He nodded. "Excuse me, but what is your name?"

"Oh, I forgot to say! I'm Sally. You can stay the night if that will help her? I have a sleeping mat so you can stay with her... unless you rather sleep next to her. I won't breathe a word." She winked.

Gunther nodded, blushing. "Thank you, Sally."

She bowed her head. "It's the least I can do." At that she left the room, closing the door.

Gunther lit the fire and then went and lay next to Sofia in the large bed. He held her hand and closed his eyes. Wake up soon...

It's been a long day.