Chapter Text
The first day he had wondered deep into the forest, after a sleepless night, spent riding as far away from civilization as possible, he realised that forests apparently have a front and back.
And he realised this because, in his current position, he was definitely lost.
He was so focused on trying to figure out the map that he barely acknowledged the terrifying roar, and he only noticed the looming presence behind him when that imposing figure came so close to block the sun behind him.
A dragon: not huge, but large, in bright red
"Behold and tremble, knight! For I am the king the reigns over this forest and its creatures, and rules by fire and flames from the wolf to the sparrow!"
"Do you know how to get out from the North?"
It came out spontaneously. Soon after he realised he was a complete idiot. The creature staring at him with more than a little puzzlement.
"Uh... This is the part where you answer me something like: 'Halt, you vile beast! I won't allow you to terrorise this Noble Kingdom any further!'...Or something like that"
"It is?"
"Yeah"
"Uh, my bad...I haven't studied the approaches to dangerous magical creatures very well"
"Meh"
Surreal. But at least he hadn't been charred yet.
"For real, through, do you know how to get out of here going North?"
"Dunno, that way, I guess?"
"You rule over the forest, shouldn't you at least know the entrances and the exists?"
"Perhaps you wish to embark on this philanthropic quest to find the way out, knight?"
"Well, I'd say so"
"On the march, knight!"
"Hold on, you're coming with me?"
"Uh...Of course, knight! After all, these are my lands, I need to keep an eye on you"
"I say it's best if we pretend that I believe you..."
And without a why or wherefore, he found himself marching with that beast in tow.
Oh well. If it meant getting out.
"Do you even know what 'philanthropic' means?"
"Announce your name, knight!"
"Percival. Yours?"
"Excuse me, since when do knights care about the dragon's name?"
He parted his lips to protest, but nipped it in the bud.
The reasoning was flawless.