Nathan Aldridge sat astride his horse, shield at the ready, lance in hand. The large, two-handed sword, slung across his back was of little comfort knowing what he was about to face, for the second time in his life. The whistling of the wind beneath the giant wings of the airborne beast was unmistakable. Three years ago that sound signaled the impending death of a friend and was nearly his own undoing.

Nervously scanning the horizon in search of the dragon, Nathan could see no movement. He would not ride into the open field without knowing exactly where his opponent lurked. "No one would blame me for avoiding this fight today."He thought. Memnoch snorted shaking his head as if in agreement. His decision made, Nathan urged the big horse backward, deeper into the safety of the forest. On he rode, dodging branches, stopping occasionally to listen for the telltale sounds of a dragon in flight. "Who need know I did not stand and battle the beast?" He reasoned with himself.

Yet, the farther he traveled, the less he liked his own answer.

Years earlier, during the Great War, this very dragon had bested him on the field of battle. It had taken months for his wounds to heal and longer to regain the use of his left arm. Ka'tryn, his wife, warned him not to go. She had in fact, suggested what he considered the coward's way out. Now, in his mind, he could still hear her screams as she watched the dragon rending his flesh before he fell unconscious.

The daily rides and workouts, while good for his muscles, did little to improve his temperament. In the clearing where he practiced only the largest of the trees remained. Many bore the scars of their encounters with the large blade of Nathan's sword. The less fortunate saplings had long since disappeared, having fallen victim to the early anger and frustration unleashed upon them.

With darkness falling over the landscape Nathan arrived at his destination. "Home," if one could call it that, was not much to make a person be proud. Once he and Ka'tryn had called Draughtmore their abode.

Now, with his status as a knight in question, the couple had been forced to fend for themselves outside the castle walls. He ate his dinner of stew in silence, not wanting to speak of the day's events. Ka'tryn busied herself having learned long ago not to question her husband's daily disappearances. She only knew that when he slept the dreams would come.

Nathan would wake up sobbing, the sheets wet with his sweat. She would hold him close and try to calm the terror, feeling helpless to stop the torment.

For Nathan the nightmares were much worse than the scars he bore on his body. Nightly he was forced to witness the death of his dearest friend. It should never have happened and he refused to excuse his youthful foolishness. He was older now, a little slower perhaps, but much wiser.

The dreams came and the ritual repeated itself for yet another night.

Nathan quietly rose from bed before the sun, ate a meager breakfast, and went outside to saddle Memnoch for another long ride through the valley.

"Perhaps today." He thought.

Memnoch was acting restless as if sensing an unseen danger in the direction they were riding. "It's Ok, big fella." Nathan said aloud, as if hearing the words would make it so. For the rest of their journey he found himself glancing to the sky, praying he was right.

Matthew was forever teasing Nathan about being too serious and uptight. "Broken bones will heal!" He would announce, before darting into an unexplored cave or climbing up a tree. Several times, Nathan had rescued the lad only to be rebuffed by Matthew as he ran away.

Nathan admired his friend's quiet, thoughtful demeanor. He often wondered how someone so gentle could stand against a man twice his size, and win. When insulted, Matthew would confront the individual and ask for an apology. Eventually others understood there would be no second chance to offer one. More often than not, they discovered this fact on their way to meet the ground.

As the two had grown older, the bond between them grew stronger. Each had one goal in mind and that goal was to become a knight. While Nathan valued the idea of order and discipline, Matthew wanted adventure and acceptance. After training for almost three years, each man had passed the final test. When the King laid the sword on Matthews shoulders and Knighted him, Nathan's heart swelled with pride. The two had finally realized their dream.

Before their final battle together, Matthew had playfully slapped Nathan's helmet from behind. "Broken bones will heal!"He had said with a wry grin. For Nathan, it was to be the last time he would see that smile.

In the end, Matthew had been more of a brother to him than a friend.

Nathan's injuries prevented him from attending the funeral, but not from swearing to avenge Matthews death. Now, having recovered from his injuries, Nathan began the quest to fulfill his promise.

Arriving at the clearing, Nathan dismounted, tethering his horse to a tree in the shade. The animal would wait patiently until it was time to make the return trip. Nathan felt he would do anything for that noble animal. Twice during the last battle Memnoch had placed himself between his master and danger. Memnoch was jet black, with a disposition to match.

It had taken a full month before the brute would tolerate Nathan's touch.

The stable boy would not go near him and poor Kathryn swore he was the Devil himself.

Nathan had no friends now. A coward was not welcome at the King's table for dinner. He felt betrayed and alone. "It was not really my fault Matthew died . . . was it?" He mused. During the trial, witnesses had sworn they saw Nathan diving from his mount to save himself as the dragon attacked from above. Nathan had jumped, that much was true. The court, however, had not accepted his explanation.

Nathan had seen his friend in peril and spurred Memnoch to action.

Seeing no alternative, he tried in desperation to jump the remaining distance and knock Matthew from his own mount. The attempt ended in disaster. Adding more insult to his injury, Nathan was now face down in the dirt without a weapon or a horse.

For the dragon this was a good day. Having dispatched one rider, she now had a defenseless target to play with. Seeing no other threat close by, she landed almost on top of her prone opponent.

Nathan struggled to his feet only to promptly be flattened by a blow to his left side. The sound of shattering bone was lost amid the dragon's gleeful roar. He could remember nothing more than the brief sound of Ka'tryn's screams as he blacked out.

Unwrapping the sword, Nathan began his normal routine. Always careful to stretch first, he swung the weapon in lazy arcs for several minutes.

That done, his attention turned to the invisible enemy before him. For hours he slashed, blocked and thrust with the heavy blade. He ignored the pain of screaming muscles, the sting of sweat that ran into his eyes, even his body's cries for rest and water.

Finally exhausted, Nathan wrapped the sword and slung it across his back. It would be dark soon and he knew he should get moving. Looking around, he noticed a few new nicks, but not as many as in the past. "I must be getting better" he thought to himself.

On the ride home the shadows cast by the trees made him uneasy.

Knowing the dragon was much too large to hide there, did not seem to help.

"Was he going crazy?" "Was the battle he fought within himself already lost?" "Could he ever hope to have a normal life again?" These were questions usually reserved for his dreams, and on closer examination they scared him.

At the table that evening Nathan finished the plate of food before him not bothering to taste it. Ka'tryn noticed something different about his mood, but she could not quite pin it down. He seemed more distant and distracted than normal. Screwing up her courage, she sat and looked into his eyes. "It's that damned dragon again, isn't it?" She asked. Ka'tryn, having broached this subject before, dreaded the icy silence that usually followed . She was shocked as she watched Nathan bow his head and mumble, "It always is."

Ka'tryn stood and moved to him. She saw the fear etched on his face.

He did not attempt to block her hands as she pulled his head to her breast and held it there. Ka'tryn could feel his tears soaking into her blouse, and hear the muffled sound as he cried. "It is all right" Ka'tryn whispered, as she gently rocked him.

Nathan hated himself for being so weak. He was a knight and knights did not cry. It was bad enough when the dreams came and he could not control himself. Now, here he sat, wide awake, bawling like a child.

Lying awake in the dark, Nathan listened to the sound of Ka'tryn's breathing. He could not imagine what his life would be without her.

Because of his mistake, she too had become a casualty that fateful day.

Ka'tryn was no longer invited to socialize with the Ladies of the inner court. Months had passed since anyone other than Nathan talked with her. She accepted this lonely life without complaint, seemingly happy that they were still together. "How much of this could she take and how much longer would he let her?" Nathan wondered.

Pushing the covers aside, Nathan rose and walked to the bedroom window. Moving the thick curtain, he peered out at the valley below. Light rain was falling and the heavy clouds appeared to struggle against their own weight trying to remain aloft. The irony of the situation was all too clear.

Knowing Memnoch would be growing restless and hungry if he were not fed soon, Nathan quickly dressed and headed for the stall. Seeing his Master, the big horse greeted him with a whinny and a shake of his long mane. Dutifully, Nathan set about the task of feeding his friend.

Cleaning up after Memnoch had never been one of his favorite things to do, but this too, had to be done. Nathan reached for the shovel inside the tool closet and finding it stuck, gave the handle a hard yank. With a clatter everything inside came crashing out onto the dirt.

Cursing his luck, Nathan bent to retrieve the large burlap bundle. As he lifted, a glint of white caught his attention. For a long time all Nathan could do, was stare. "Why had Ka'tryn never told him and how had he not noticed it until now?" He wondered.

Terror gripped Ka'tryn as she stood in the doorway to the kitchen watching Nathan polish his helmet. The turmoil within her was almost unbearable as heart and mind fought to find an answer both could accept.

Engrossed in his work Nathan had not acknowledged her presence.

Not wanting to alarm him, Ka'tryn gave a slight cough to announce her entrance. Nathan paused a moment then quickly returned to his task. He knew she would eventually ask, but he was not sure she would understand his answer.

Miles away and oblivious to Nathan's existence, Zeprexia lay curled up in her lair. The rain had changed her plans to sun herself on the rocky outcropping above the cave. She tried to sleep on days like this, but the extra moisture caused her scales to itch terribly. Making matters worse, Zeprexia's stomach was growing empty. She contemplated going on a hunt and then rejected the idea. The clouds were too low to make flying safe and hunting on foot was out of the question.

At thirty feet, Zeprexia was small for her age. Most of her sisters had already become mothers. She often dreamed of the day when she would be able "bring the flame" like the bigger dragons. It meant she would be old enough to take a mate and end her loneliness.

During the Great war, Zeprexia had made a name for herself among the local population. Initially she merely watched the battles raging below for entertainment. Later, when the wildlife began to grow scarce, she would land to feed on the carcases of the fallen soldiers. In the end when the situation grew desperate, she killed the prey herself . . . and found she liked it.

The war ended and her usual food sources returned. On one level she was happy for the return of easier prey, but part of her missed the challenge of an armed opponent. Although the risk of getting hurt was slight, occasionally an arrow did find it's way under her scales.

None had been worse than the first time it happened. The pain in her side during the flight home was almost unbearable. The shaft of the arrow had buried itself too deeply for an easy removal. In the end she was forced to pry the entire scale off to rid herself of the stinging barb.

Not wishing to think of that day any longer, Zeprexia turned her thoughts to a more pressing matter. She could do nothing for her empty belly right now, so she settled on the next best thing . . . taking a nap.

Ka'tryn had taken enough of her husband's foolishness. Marching to the table, she reached out, snatching the helmet from Nathan's grasp.

Nathan, being stubborn, simply picked up a gauntlet and continued as though nothing had happened.

"You will not ignore me!" Ka'tryn yelled, as she snatched at the gauntlet. "You cannot do this to me again! Don't you understand?" she pleaded, the tears welling up in her eyes.

"I must." Nathan replied, as he stood to confront her. "Why can't you see that?" He continued, raising his hand to wipe the moisture from Ka'tryn's face.

"Don't touch me!" Ka'tryn screamed, knocking his hand away. "I almost lost you once, isn't that enough?" She sobbed, the tears flowing freely down her cheeks.

"I must." Nathan stammered. "For Matthew's sake, and my own."

Hearing him say that only served to make Ka'tryn angrier. "His HONOR!" She yelled, spitting the word out with disgust. "Can't you call it what it truly is?" She continued, the rage inside her seething. "REVENGE NATHAN, REVENGE! . . . SAY IT!" Lost in her anger Ka'tryn threw the helmet at him as she turned to leave.

"Ka'tryn." He pleaded, his voice trailing off.

Hearing a door slam, Nathan knew there would be no more discussion for either of them. His feelings hurt, Nathan picked up the helmet and continued his preparations. "She would never understand . . . how could she?" He thought, when he barely understood himself.

Nathan did not join Ka'tryn in their bedroom that night. His thoughts were focused only on the dragon.

Zeprexia leapt into the air propelled forward by the powerful strokes of her wings. She preferred only one thing to sleep and that thing was the hunt. With a lazy turn she headed toward the valley in search of her next meal.

Nathan, having done all he could to prepare, mounted Memnoch and rode toward his fate. He headed North toward the field where he had heard the dragon four days earlier. With luck, she would pass this way again.

Having decided to follow her husband, Ka'tryn rose from her bed and quickly dressed. "If Nathan were foolish enough to get himself killed, someone would need to bring his body home." She thought, not wanting to believe it.

It had indeed been a good day to hunt. Her appetite satisfied, Zeprexia began her return flight home. " A nap would be pleasant." She thought, her mind drifting. The warm sun heating her scales would feel wonderful.

Passing an open field, Zeprexia barely caught a flash of white at the edge of the forest. Looking closer she could see it was a knight on horseback. It had been years since Zeprexia had created havoc on a battlefield. "A lone knight would be no great challenge."She thought, as she banked her wings to line up for the kill.

Nathan's guess had been correct. "One of us will die today." Nathan thought, knowing it could well be himself. "Let us end this here." Nathan said, giving his large friends neck a pat. Memnoch pawed the ground in response. His lance held high, the warrior and his stead marched out onto the field of battle. Memnoch's chain mail armor swaying with each step.

Nathan felt alive. He had missed the weight of his armor and the adrenaline coursing through his veins. "Maybe this will finally free me from my guilt and shame." He mused sadly. "Maybe . ."

Folding her wings to lose altitude and gain speed, Zeprexia hurtled headlong toward her targets intent on destroying them both. Nathan set his heels in the stirrups and lowered his lance. Horse and rider became one as they charged toward the rapidly approaching enemy.

Nathan had one chance to avoid the impending collision and he intended to use it. Raising the lance tip he waited until he felt the beast make contact. The shock of the impact nearly tore his arm from its socket. It was a square hit and Zeprexia bellowed in pain as the tip found a purchase under her right wing. She had obviously misjudged her opponent and paid the price.

The dragon sailed over Nathan's head, her tail narrowly missing him as the beast crashed to the ground. When Nathan had put a safe distance between himself and the wounded dragon, only then did he rein Memnoch to a halt. Dismounting, he slapped Memnoch on the rump to send him away, and readied his sword.

Zeprexia, having recovered from her uncontrolled landing, spotted Nathan and let out a roar. Her right wing dragging, she stormed toward Nathan. "This little man will soon learn the meaning of pain!" She thought, her rage building.

As the distance between the two enemies closed, Nathan assumed his fighting stance. Raising the sword, he prepared for the dragons first attack. In seconds his target would be within range.

Striking out with blinding speed, Zeprexia had intended to end this fight quickly. Nathan was prepared and swung the great sword with all his might. The blow struck the dragon squarely in the lower jaw.

Zeprexia howled in pain. The impact, while not drawing blood, had certainly loosened a tooth or two. "Enough of this!" She thought, lashing out with her tail.

Nathan gasped as Zeprexia's tail hit him like a hammer, knocking the sword from his hand. He could feel the warm blood spreading across his chest before he hit the ground in a crumpled heap.

Memnoch, seeing his Master going down reacted as Nathan had trained him. He raced toward the beast, hooves pounding the ground.

Zeprexia moved forward to finish the job she had started. One bite and her opponent would be crushed. Unable to put himself between them, Memnoch slammed his weight into the dragons broken wing. Raising her head to strike, the roar in her throat suddenly turned to one of great pain.

Memnoch had purchased his Master a few valuable seconds. As Zeprexia raised her head yet again to strike, Nathan found his sword. Her jaws clamped around Memnoch's neck, Zeprexia lifted the horse and slammed him to the ground.

Turning back to her original enemy, Zeprexia only saw the sword as it entered her left eye. Intent on saving his mount, Nathan's rush had carried him beneath the dragons now lifeless body. Her head no longer supported, fell on Nathan pinning him to the ground.

The battle over, Nathan pried himself out from under Zeprexia's great maw. He was covered in blood, most of it his own. Retrieving his sword from the dragon's eye, Nathan turned in search of his injured friend.

Memnoch lay nearby, his breath sounding raspy and labored. Using his sword as a crutch, Nathan made his way to his faithful friends side. "You can't die on me now, big fella!" Nathan said, dropping to his knees. "We won! We won." He cried, burying his face in Memnoch's mane.

Ka'tryn emerged from the edge of the woods. She could see the dead dragon, but Nathan and Memnoch were no where in sight. Panicking she ran forward scanning the field for her husband. She had run for what seemed an eternity, before she finally saw him kneeling, face down against his horse.

Moving closer, it was obvious Memnoch was dead. Nathan looked a mess, but he was still breathing. Touching her husbands shoulder. Ka'tryn began to cry.

Nathan, had not heard Ka'tryn's approach and was startled by her presence. Although it hurt to move, he rolled himself over and slide down to the ground.

Seeing the wound in his chest, Ka'tryn gasped. "I've got to get you home." She whispered. "You'll be fine, I promise." Ka'tryn said with conviction, but in her heart, she knew it was a lie.

Nathan reached up to take her hand in his own. "I want to tell you before it's too late . . . " He began, staring into her beautiful hazel eyes. "You need to understand how sorry I am . . . for all the pain I've caused you." Ka'tryn tried to put her hand to his lips to quiet him, but Nathan would not have it. "Please! Hear me out. I'm so terribly sorry . .

. " Nathan said, as he closed his eyes.

Ka'tryn slowly sat next to her husband and removed his helmet. She knew he was dead, but it did not matter. Cradling Nathan's head on her shoulder, she began to rock him. "I forgive you" She whispered. "I forgive you."