The afternoon had been almost as nice as the morning, and the king was pleased with their progress. They had made it deep into the woods, and soon, perhaps even tomorrow, they would be in the best amphiptere hunting grounds in the entire forest.

As it was, they had traveled enough for the day and it was time to find a place to camp for the evening. This was becoming more apparent with each step, as the dragon’s whines and moans had increased in pitch, volume, and length consistently for the last hour. “I’m so tired. My feet hurt. Why haven’t we found any amphiptere yet?” And on and on he complained.

So, when the trio came across a quiet clearing next to a babbling brook, the king called a halt. “That’s enough for one day. This appears to be a perfect place to set up camp.”

His declaration was met with hearty agreement from his two comrades, and in his excitement that the day was drawing to a close, the dragon even volunteered to gather firewood and start the fire. The king still found the creature odd, and sighed once again at his mood swings.

The minotaur went straight to the brook to collect water for stew that night, and then began to cut up meat and vegetables, humming to himself a strange little song about a beautiful naiad. The king himself, enjoying the song, happily went about setting up their tents.

Jezebel was discombobulated and uncomfortable. She was somewhat charmed by Azariah’s attempts to be a gallant, dignified gentleman, but felt an underlying annoyance at his obvious lack of adoration towards her, especially regarding her looks, which had in recent weeks become very important.

She wanted to know one thing in particular. What did this lack of zeal mean? She tried to figure it all out as she watched Azariah in the arena, but all she managed to come up with was more and more confusion and bewilderment. Her final thoughts on the subject were that Azariah found her inferior for some reason or he was simply crazy.

She’d have to figure that out later though. The weapons master had just called her into the arena. It was her turn to be beaten and bashed and laid low by his superior skill and speed at arms. It was embarrassing, she had to admit, to be humiliated so in front of Azariah. After all, Azariah had some obvious skill with weapons (despite his earlier failed attempt to protect them from the minotaur), and had done a relatively good job at holding his own against the weapons master. Her own attempts, she felt, would just leave her tired and dirty, and lower Azariah’s opinion of her even more.

The minotaur took the lead as the trio and their horse headed into the woods. He was, after all, an expert on finding amphiptere.

The woods were peaceful today, quiet and still and perfect for reflection. The dragon reflected on many things, like the sound of leaves crunching or the way the minotaur’s hooves click clacked on the dry dirt road.

The king spent his journey reflecting on the joys of his youth, the hunts he went on then, the stunts he participated in. even his training for the throne. He thought of his wife and his daughter, the loves of his life. He wondered just how Azariah and Jezebel were faring, and hoped the would find the joy he and his own wife had experienced during their courting. His heart was content. It was so good to be out adventuring again, with the sun pouring down on him and the smell of loam and leaves filling his senses.

The minotaur too was reflecting on things. But they were not the joys of the past or the hopes of the future. His were darker, more sorrowful, and perhaps with that all the more beautiful for the pain they caused. His thoughts wondered deep into the woods of the past, to a river of tears shed by him upon his loss.

Jezebel was grateful for not having to be escorted by the guards to breakfast, but for some reason felt shy and a little nervous around this stringy half-man who was obviously unsure how to act around her. She was used to adoration and praise now, but all Azariah seemed to be was uncomfortable, disguised only slightly in gentleman-like behavior.

“Um, well, thanks for getting the guards away.” Jezebel attempted to start a conversation.

“Er, you’re welcome.” A short reply was all Azariah could manage.

“Have you ever had fresh bread first thing in the morning? I usually get mostly fresh bread at a reasonable time, but maybe it is better at sunrise.” Another attempt to start a different conversation, and another flop.

“I haven’t, and I doubt it’s any better.” Another short answer from Azariah.

The two walked in awkward silence for a while, and it seemed to Jezebel that she could literally hear the wheels in his brain trying to turn this weird situation into a genteel event. Maybe this was progress. “Um, what’s weapons training…” Azariah finally began.

And of course, as soon as he asked it, he was interrupted by the guard. “Took you two long enough. It’s almost sunrise now. Get in here for your bread.” Another failed conversation. This was not going to be easy.

The dragon made his way out of the castle, breathing in the deep wonderful air of a cool, perfect morning. Life was good and he was happy. It would be an amazing day.

He wandered out to the meeting spot and watched as the king, humming a hunting song of some sort to himself, put the very last of the supplies on the horse that was going along. The dragon did not think much of the horse, but at least he wouldn’t have to be saddled up as the Minotaur had threatened.

“Good morning, your majesty,” he hollered in a singsong voice, eliciting a slight, startled jump from the king. “It is a good morning,” the king said, after a short pause for recovery. “Are you ready my little friend? This is so exciting. Where is that Minotaur?”

The minotaur detached himself from his shadowy hiding place and approached. “Good morning, majesty, dragon. I am ready to leave now if you are. An early start leads to the best hunts.”

“Oh, yes. I’m ready,” replied the dragon. “I’ve never been on a hunt before. Do you think I’ll catch an amphiptere? I hope so. It would be very exciting to bring its skin back for Jezebel, and to say it was my own would make me so happy. Do you think I’ll get one? Oh please say yes.” The dragon rambled on aimlessly, not pausing for a single answer to his questions, as the group disappeared into the woods.

Jezebel was up and dressed in her weapons training gear. She found that she really liked it. It fit her nicely, highlighting her young, strong arms and rather taut rear end and newly slimmed down waist. It was red, and enhanced with just enough stitches and embroidery to seem feminine without actually getting in the way of fighting. She hadn’t really ever fought in it though. She just wore it to watch her father.

Today however, she would have to wear it out onto the field, with a complete stranger who seemed appalled by her, and pretend she wasn’t annoyed at all that she had been left behind.

She was not in a good mood when she heard the knock at the door. Time for fresh bread, the first activity.

Jezebel walked to the door and opened it, ready to take her frustration and anger out on the guard who in reality could do little about it, and was startled instead to see a slightly embarrassed Azariah.

“I convinced the guards I could escort you down to breakfast. I hope that is okay. I would, um, er, enjoy your company.”

Well, that put Jezebel in a spin. You can’t yell and scream after such an awkward moment, so all she said was, “Um, I guess so.”

It was almost dawn. The dragon was up and about and so filled with excitement he couldn’t eat. He was leaving at dawn with the minotaur and the king for his first ever manly hunting party. He wandered the corridors, looking and watching for that first ray of light to hit a window. It would be soon.

The supplies were packed and loaded onto the two horses that would be accompanying the king on his journey. It was a good packing job, and the king was quite pleased with himself. He had done it all alone, in an effort to recapture his forgotten youth, and it had worked. He had started while the stars were out, and as the grey of dawn approached, he felt a thrill of adventure and intrigue. His daughter was safe, with a suitable suitor. They would spend lots of time together and of course as all good love stories go, they would fall in love and marry. His future was bright, and adventure was nigh. He took a deep breath and sighed with contentment. Life was good.

The minotaur had stood in the shadows watching the king pack. He was intrigued at how energetic the man seemed, and felt a little twinge of excitement himself. It would be a good trip, he knew it, if only that blasted dragon would keep himself under control. Dawn was coming. Where was that creature anyway?

Jezebel stared dismally down at the list of things she was supposed to do while her father, the minotaur, and the dragon were off having fun. She was, to say the least, not pleased. Almost everything on the list had something to do with Azariah, and despite his bravery, that first look of disapproval she got from him still stung. She had at first thrown the list away, intending to not do anything on it at all, but the dragon had told her father, and now the guards would be there to chaperone the activities.

She couldn’t get out of it, that she knew, so she sighed and reread the first day of activities.

Day One
1) Make sure both of you are in the kitchen at first light for the first fresh loaf of the day as it comes out the oven.
2) Go with Azariah to the training field and learn how to handle a weapon.
3) Clean-up after your work out.
4) Clean out the old nursery in the southwest tower. Let Azariah help you.

And on and on and on. Jezebel sighed once again, and got into her training field outfit. It was almost dawn, and the guards would be arriving shortly.

The king bellowed a warm welcome to the creature as Jezebel ran over to give it a hug. Prince Azariah was, to say the least, confused. “I don’t understand,” he said in his best princely voice, which actually turned out to be shaky and weak.

“Oh, do please forgive our rudeness,” said the king. “This is the Minotaur, who is the sole reason that my daughter is here today.”

“Not true,” huffed the dragon. “I helped too.”

The king gave in. “Agreed. At any rate, Azariah, please say hi to the Minotaur.” Azariah hazarded a hello. “I suppose you are here,” continued the king, “to take up my offer on an amphiptere hunt?”

“Yes,” the minotaur replied, ”I found myself quite bored and remembered your invitation. And it is amphiptere season. Is this a good time?”

“It’s perfect! Jezebel can keep our young friend company, and the rest of us can go hunting!”

“Why can’t I go?” interrupted Jezebel, and was seconded by Azariah.

“It’s just too dangerous,” said the king dismissively. “But I’ll make sure to leave a list of chores and activities you can do together while we’re gone.”