[So, this is a rather fanciful telling of my encounter with a dragon. I kicked that jive turkey to the curb, though, that's no fairy tale. Granted, he's apparently got cousins holding a grudge, and the Lady Sophia is kinda getting sick of my crap, so there might be a couple more rounds coming up, but for know it's all jake.]


Since he could remember, Sir M.O. had heard tales of a beast who, since time immemorial, had been terrorizing mankind. While the beast was certainly more than just a nuisance, it was not until Sir M.O. was entering adolesence that the beast truly began to occupy his thoughts. It was at this point that he learned that the beast was a monsterous green dragon that had kidnapped the beautiful Sophia.

Sophia was the pinnacle of creation’s beauty. Most men – whether they knew it or not – longed to exist solely in the embrace of the fair Sophia. M.O. was no exception. When he received his knighthood he vowed that he would stop at nothing to slay the dragon and stand before an emancipated Sophia. With this aim in mind, he set off to find the dragon.

The beast was elusive, however, and while M.O. was on his quest many things slowed his progress. Occasionally, he would encounter someone who needed his aid. Initially, it was out of sheer chivalric honor that he provided assistance. It was not long before Sir M.O.’s honorable and heroic deeds were known far and wide. In any village or hamlet that he would pass Sir M.O. was showered with gifts and strong drink. Gradually, he was only helping others out of sheer vanity and greed.

Many years passed this way, and Sir M.O. grew fat and lazy. He had all but forgotten the vow he took to defeat the dragon and rescue Sophia. Then, one day while he was riding on to a village that had not had the pleasure of admiring his presence, Sir M.O. – by sheer chance – stumbled into the lair of the beast.

At first he was terrified and began to flee, but before he did he caught a glimpse of Sophia. The old desire to free her washed back over him. Sir M.O. steadied his nerves and lunged at the dragon.

This first attempt to rescue Sophia did not go well. Sir M.O. was fat and out of shape from the years he spent worshiping at the altar of his own vanity. Now that he had actually seen Sophia, however briefly, he recommitted himself to the sole aim of making himself fit enough to defeat the beast and worthy enough to stand before Sophia.

The training took many years and during that time Sir M.O. was often tempted to fall back on his old habits and forsake his quest. He only managed to avoid this by keeping his mind on Sophia alone. No other thought did he allow to dictate his actions. Eventually he was ready to face the dragon.

As he entered the lair of the beast Sir M.O. felt no fear. The beast could not possibly prevail, Sophia was already in his embrace.