Chapter 5
On a rainy day, a knight came to Merlin's cottage and told him the king needed his help. Merlin went with the knight and was introduced to the king.
Merlin bowed and asked, "How can I help your majesty?"
The king explained, "There is a dragon in the hills above the city. It has taken up residence in a cave near the main road and terrorizes travelers. This has brought trade to a halt and is causing distress to the people. Can you stop the dragon?"
Merlin said, "I will have to study ancient texts on this problem and let you know if anything can be done."
He came back to the cottage and told Pam about the dragon. She said, "Really, a dragon? Where I come from, dragons were only a myth and not real. I will fly over the area and look for this so-called dragon."
She told the hospital attendants she was making a foraging trip and would return later in the evening. She walked into the forest, removed her clothes, turned invisible, and flew to where the dragon was supposed to be. My God, there was a real dragon next to the road. There were several broken carts, dead horses, and donkeys with chunks missing, presumably eaten by the dragon. The dragon had several cuts on its legs where knights had attempted to use their swords to kill it.
Pam returned and told Merlin that killing the dragon would be difficult. She suggested they give it fresh meat with sleeping herbs to knock it out. Then Pam could quickly kill it by removing its head with a large sword. She told Merlin to borrow a sword from the king.
Merlin returned to the King and told him he would try to kill the dragon, but he must have a large sword. He was given one, sharpened to a fine edge. Merlin brought the sword back, barely able to pick it up. Pam could pick up the sword easily and brandish it with various parries and thrusts.
They took half a cow and stuffed it with as much of the sleeping herbs as they had. Merlin put it on the back of his cart and headed for the hills where the dragon was. All the townspeople thought he was going to die. Pam went into the cottage and told everyone not to disturb her and that she would pray for Merlin's success in killing the dragon. Everyone understood. Pam removed her clothes, turned invisible, and followed Merlin's cart. When they got close, she told Merlin, "Wait here until I have killed the dragon."
Merlin thought, 'She will never be able to do it.'
When she did vanquish the dragon, he was amazed and fearful of what this woman could do.
When Merlin returned with the dragon's head, the king was very appreciative and gave Merlin fine robes to wear and an ample supply of food for use at the hospital. Merlin thanked the King and returned to his cottage.
All the town folk were happy to see Merlin and overjoyed that the dragon didn't kill him. Pam was there, of course, with a broad smile.
Merlin began to wonder what would happen when she left, and he no longer had access to her knowledge, skills, and power of the suit. He asked her about this issue, and she said, "We will figure that out when I leave."
Pam answered Merlin's question ambiguously because she wasn't sure what to do. He was right. His reputation was growing, and if he suddenly couldn't do anything after she left, the people might run him out of town.