The knight entered a guard stance, his sword shining in the cave-lair's torchlight. "Beast!" He called. "What have you done with Her Highness?"
The dragon let out a growl... not of hostility, but of a raw, pure, exasperation. "Miguel... Gods, Miguel, you're an idiot sometimes."
"Deplorable beast! How do you know my name? What vile schemes form behind those monstrous eyes of yours? What have you done with Princess Leonora?"
The clattering of buckles and fastenings echoed across the wind-swept castle tower top,
"Ow. A bit looser. You're pinching my scales."
Miguel frowned a little, as he loosened the satchel-bag's strap a few inches. "Your highness", he muttered. "Are you sure about this journey?"
"Very much so", the beautiful, white-scaled dragon replied, "If I go alone by air, it's less than a day's travel."
"I am... worried about their reactions", the knight says, as he checks the straps for any loose buckles and makes sure the satchel is appropriately secured for flight.
"It's been months, Migs. dad already put out a whole mess of messengers letting everyone know about my situation. And besides. the Duke's son sent me a letter. Something about him having suspicions about being in a similar situation and wanting to talk to someone about it. I have to help him, so I'm going to the ball."
Leonora looks down at her knight, giving him a warm smile. He worries a lot, but isn't that the duty of a protector?
"Besides, I'll be in human form for the actual party. Mostly, at least." She swishes her tail with joy. "I think keeping the horns and tail around would be quite the fashion statement."
The knight sits down on a stool and let's out a deep sigh. His formal bearing dissolves for just a moment. "Well, I can certainly trust you to make an impression." He returns the smile - the smile not of a servant or a knight, but of a dear, close friend.
"Stay safe. Enjoy the flight, Princess."
The dragon opens her wings wide. "Oh, I always enjoy the flights. See ya, Migs."
And she leaps into the air, the wind billowing under her wings, carrying her higher and into the distance - regal and free.
