The knights assembled in the Great Hall. Leon spoke first. "You heard them. They're calling him a sorcerer."
"Well, it's not true. Right? It's not true, Merlin?" said, Percival.
Merlin shifted. "It doesn't matter if it's true," said Merlin. "And all that matters is the people think I'm magic, and that's enough."
"We'll sneak you out," said Percival.
Gwenevere sighed. "Morgana's forces are still causing misery. The dragon alone has destroyed livestock and farms on the outer edges. Of course, they want revenge on anyone rumored to have magic." She met his eyes.
Merlin narrowed and dropped his gaze.
"I'll go," said Merlin. "I'll lie low for a few months."
"And the dragon?" she huffed, pulling a finger to her lips.
"I'll take care of it," nodded Merlin.
The knights met Merlin outside the gates. They look at Merlin.
"If we're going to track the beast, we'll need a few more day's rations," said Leon.
Merlin sighed. "I don't need to track it," he said patiently. Merlin dismounted in the familiar outcrop beyond the forest outside the citadel and growled out the call.
The thing's energy purred low in his chest and startled the horses. They whinnied and lifted their hooves, jerking their faces.
A nervous sound escaped Percival. "Are you sure about this?"
Merlin finished the call, and the surrounding sound fell hollow.
Leon pulled his reins. "It won't come."
The sound of heavy footfall erupted in the brush, coming fast their way. The horses neighed, and the knights struggled to gain control. The dragon hissed and roared, a juvenile, screechy sound. It was breathy, and it almost echoed. It was followed by trotting horse's hooves, many of which surrounded them. The dragon looked sickly, and its frail body and sallow face reflected the moonlight so brightly it was shocking.
Merlin looked around. He glanced toward the sound as it passed parallel to his shoulder. Sir Leon let out a cry of alert.
A creature emerged from the forest. The girl sat aback at a golden stag like a horse.
Merlin drew his sword toward the dragon.
"—What are you doing?" said the girl. She had dangling things in her hair and long painted designs around her eyes. She even had a sword, if it could be called that. Oddly shaped and short as a needle-thin dagger, the blade could fit undetectably in someone's ear. She leaped off the Stag.