Dragonslayer Page #3

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who has somehow

been overlooked all these years,

it may interest you to know

the King has called a new lottery.

It's months to the solstice.

In view of what's happened,

we all know what's required.

I've never taken part

in your cursed lottery. I won't now.

You were very clever, but

she will take part like all the rest.

No exceptions.

- I want to be in it.

- Silence, child.

I'm no different to any other girl.

My name will go in.

Nothing.

If he was here, he's gone now.

Blacksmith,

have you ever forged a weapon?

This is "Secarius draconum" -

Dragonslayer.

- The best I ever made.

- It's beautiful.

But I never had the nerve to use it.

That won't help. What you want

to kill isn't flesh and blood.

- It'll bleed.

- How do you know?

- No one's so much as scratched it.

- She's right. I'll need the amulet.

Stir the tiles!

Stir the tiles!

Stir the tiles! Stir the tiles!

Draw the name! Draw the name!

Draw the name!

Draw the name!

Draw the name!

Now, my countrymen, hear me.

Behold, for I am chosen.

I shall die that many may live.

I shall lay down my life

for family and fellows.

I shall go to my grave for the love

of our king and his wise policy.

And my name is...

- Read the name!

- Read the name!

Read the name!

Read the name! Read the name!

Read the name.

The name

is Princess Elspeth Ulfilas...

...filia Regis.

That is not the name.

It has been misread.

There's no mistake.

The name's been drawn. Let it stand.

No. The good Horsrik

has misspoke himself.

In fairness to this individual,

we will destroy this tile.

No!

No. What better name

than your own kin?

- At last, we see justice done.

- Silence!

We will have a new choosing.

I will draw the name myself.

Let it stand! Let it stand!

The name is as Horsrik read it...

Elspeth.

And this one... And another...

Another... And another...

And another. What treachery is this?

- The lottery is invalid.

- Hear me, good people.

It is true that my name

appears on all the lots.

This does not invalidate

the lottery, it certifies it.

It redresses an injustice.

I have learned that my name was kept

from jeopardy in all past drawings.

Therefore, I have substituted

my name for yours

for the risk that over the years

you have taken and I have not.

You, Tyrian.

Surely you'll do something.

If not for me,

out of loyalty to the kingdom.

But that's just it, Your Majesty.

My first duty

is loyalty to the kingdom.

Don't go to all that trouble.

If you want a fight,

give me a weapon.

- I think not.

- Stop!

Don't harm him.

And... you, please...

I'm a great admirer

of the black arts.

You chaps

with your... mysterious spells.

I didn't think it would be necessary.

Vermithrax is an old dragon.

That, I thought,

was the beauty of my plan - time.

We'd wait it out.

I'd live to see the end of it...

I will see the end of it.

Sire, consider what you are doing.

Give him that,

he'll destroy all you've built.

He shall have it.

It's my daughter.

Save her, I beg you.

The princess - what's her name? -

Elspeth. Her name's Elspeth.

There, good and hot.

That's not the kind of fire we need.

Nunc per potestatem

hermeticum ex flammis,

ferrum sanguinarium.

Good. Now turn it over.

An edge like no other on this earth.

I'll say goodbye to her for you.

Sorry she's not here.

You know how she is.

I understand.

Fare thee well.

It's a shield. I made it.

It might keep the fire

off you, it might not.

You know, you're an idiot.

You're going to die tonight.

You'll be ripped limb from limb.

This is the last time

I'll ever speak to you.

- Thank you.

- Another thing...

I've been up there.

That thing isn't alone.

It's got little ones. Young, I think.

- I don't know how many.

- They must be killed, too.

Anything else?

You're in love, aren't you?

Yes.

It's all right.

I understand.

She's very beautiful, very brave.

Who is? What do you mean?

Your princess.

But I don't care.

Listen to me, Galen Bradwardyn,

sorcerer's apprentice...

you're going to be dead...

the dragon will be worse than ever,

there will be more lotteries...

and I'm not a boy any more.

- And you'll be eligible because...

- Because I'm still a virgin.

I am in love...

...but not with the Princess.

Your Highness?

Now be it known throughout

the kingdom that Princess Elspeth,

having lawfully been chosen

by a deed of fortune and destiny...

No more smoke, I beg you.

Begone!

I declare these proceedings...

duly ordained!

I knew I'd find you here.

Well, I'm not

as sentimental as His Majesty.

The kingdom, every one of us,

needs this sacrifice.

If you intend to interfere...

you'll have to kill me.

I've plenty of reasons to kill you

that have nothing to do with this.

Most impressive.

- Can you use it?

- No! Stop!

Tyrian is right!

This is our only hope!

Tyrian!

This is no warrior.

Run!

Run!

Where are you going?

You've failed, my friend...

and I thank the gods for it.

Now prepare yourself...

Elspeth.

It's still alive.

You know what we have to do.

We have to leave.

You said you loved me.

Is it true?

If it is...

it's the only good we've done.

Let's not lose that, too.

Galen?

She's right. What kind

of life could you have here?

You know what I think?

Magic, magicians -

it's all fading from the world.

Dying out. That makes me happy.

That means

the dragon will be dying, too.

Valerian.

Something from your father.

You want me to wear this?

What harm can it do?

What is it?

What's the matter?

What is that?

Look.

- At what?

- There.

That old trickster.

The burning water.

The lake of fire.

He had it planned...

from the beginning.

He knew this was going to happen.

Who did? What happened?

We've got to go back.

I have to talk to him.

Where are you going?

We can slay this dragon with prayer.

If we but join together in faith,

we shall live,

and the beast shall die.

Galen, stop!

I won't let you kill yourself.

He couldn't make the journey,

so he had us make it for him.

Don't you see?

All right. I'm coming, too.

- No. This is for me to do.

- I'm not afraid.

After all, I was a man, remember?

Nunc... fax... incendere.

Stay close.

- What's that?

- Nothing.

- I want to see.

- No, you don't.

All right. Wait here.

Galen?

Galen?

Where are you?

Ex favilla...

vita... nova!

Sic redit magnus ex terra mortuorum.

You're back!

- I thank the powers that made me.

- Glad to see you, too.

You didn't bring along anything

to eat, by any chance?

- Food?

- But come along. There's much to do.

No, please...

I thought I was a sorcerer. I'm not.

I thought I had power. I don't.

You said to be strong. I wasn't.

But you were, my boy. You were.

And you'll be stronger yet.

Thou art baptised in the name of

the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost.

And may the Lord lead us

from darkness and demons...

Look!

Draco... draconum.

Galen!

This is Valerian.

I know. I remember.

The girl who came to us as a boy.

There's something you must do.

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