Toshie hadn’t liked Daedalus from the moment she met him. But seeing his headless body crumble in front of her was not on her wish list. The Dragon spat his head out, and it rolled toward Toshie’s feet. His lifeless eyes stared at her. Toshie didn’t know what to do. So she kicked it. It flew into the brick wall.

  Thump.

  It stared at her as it slid down the bricks.

  Toshie fell to her knees and cried.

  “Please, don’t kill me,” she begged.

  “Sally, are you okay?” called out an unfamiliar voice.

  Toshie opened her eyes to see a green-skinned woman kneeling before Tunasalad.

  ‘Who the hell is that?’ she thought as her trembling knees gave way, and she found herself on all fours, trying not to throw up.

  “Sally, wake up! Dammit! Dwarf, can you heal?”

  Biscuit said nothing.

  ‘Okay, heal the Princess. You can do this,’ Toshie thought as she crawled into the room.

  “Get away from us!” the green woman said as she pulled out a dagger and waved it in Toshie’s face.

  “I can heal her,” Toshie said. “I’m not here to kill anyone.” Toshie pulled herself up and raised her hands above her head.

  “If you hurt her, you’re dead.”

  Toshie nodded and made her way to the unconscious Princess. The magic had torn through her left arm, and blood was starting to drip onto the ground.

  Toshie put her hand gently on the Princess and focused.

  “Heal!” she shouted. The echoing of her voice sounded foreign to her. Within seconds, the Princess opened her eyes.

  “Sally!” yelled the green woman as she pushed Toshie aside. Toshie tumbled over and landed on her back.

  “What happened?” the Princess asked. Before Toshie could say anything, she heard sobbing.

  Toshie turned her head to look at the two who were now embracing. The green woman was about a head shorter than the Princess and a bit chubbier. Or were those muscles? Toshie couldn’t tell. She did notice that the green woman’s face was buried in the Princess’s bosom.

  ‘Seriously? Bosom?’ Toshie thought as she pulled herself up. ‘That nerd was starting to get to me.’

  “I’m here to save you, Princess,” Toshie said, trying to stand proud and hero-like.

  “Save me?” Princess Tunasalad said. “Is that what my parents told you?”

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  Toshie raised an eyebrow. “Yes? Is there some misunderstanding here?”

  Tunasalad sighed. “Yrlith is my lover.” The Princess pecked the woman on her cheek.

  Toshie had no idea what to say. Daedalus was dead. He was the one who cared about rescuing the Princess. He was also the one who knew what was going on. Unable to move, Toshie stared at the two.

  “What should we do with this one, Yr?” Tunasalad turned to look at Toshie after noticing Daedalus’s body on the ground.

  “I don’t care. I’m just glad you’re alive.”

  “So we forgive her?”

  “Yeah. I don’t think she’ll hurt us.”

  “You sure? She could want revenge for you killing her lover.”

  Toshie stumbled. “Him? No, no, no. I mean, to be honest, I hated the guy. I mean, hate is a strong word, but I didn’t like him. I was stuck with him. You know how it is, right? Sometimes you get a job you don’t want to do but have to do, and like, you do it because you don’t know what else to do. Am I babbling? I’m babbling. Please don’t kill me.”

  The Princess laughed.

  “She’s adorable, Yr. I think I like her.”

  Yrlith wiped her eyes and looked at Toshie. “Thank you,” she began to say as Biscuit lunged at Yrlith. The point of his spear rubbed against her throat.

  “You, you killed my brothers and sisters,” he said. “Princess Tunasalad, forgive me for being so bold, but is this some sick joke to you?”

  The Princess stared at him. “What is your name, Soldier?”

  “Biscuit With Cheese,” Biscuit said with his eyes on Yrlith. “Son of Egg With Cheese, son of Ham With Cheese, son of…”

  “Enough,” Princess Tunasalad cut him off. “I know how proud you Soldiers are. I never wanted any of you to die. But you must understand. Yrlith is more important to me than the entire kingdom. More important than the silly royal games my mother and father play. Marry me off to who? Another Dwarven kingdom? Too tall for them. The Wood Elves? They don’t want half Dwarven children. All they care about is politics. But Yrlith, my dear Biscuit With Cheese, Yrlith loves me for who I am, not unlike how you love your family and kingdom. But the kingdom does not love me. All they care about is the treaties and goodwill marrying me off will grant them.”

  “Leave.” Biscuit’s voice trembled. “For the King and Queen will not stop as long as they think you live. I cannot bear the thought of any more of my brethren killed by you and your Dragon-Bride.” Biscuit pulled back his spear.

  In the few minutes Toshie had known Tunasalad, she was full of sass. But now, she could see genuine, albeit horrifying, tenderness.

  “I will bring back the body of Master Daedalus,” Biscuit continued. “I will tell the King and Queen we failed, and only I survived.” Biscuit looked over at the Hero. “Great Hero Toshie. Escort these two south to the Port of Stonegate. Wear hoods. Take a ship to wherever you can. It has been an honor to fight by your side.”

  Biscuit reached into Daedalus’s robes, pulled out a bag, and tossed it toward Toshie. She caught it and bowed her head. “Thank you, Biscuit.”

  She looked at Princess Tunasalad and Yrlith. “If you allow it, I will escort you, Princess.”

  “Call me Sally,” the Princess said, packing a bag. “Yrlith, is this okay with you?”

  Yrlith stared at the tiny Dwarf, who was now tying up Daedalus’s body with rope. “As long as I’m with you,” she said with a smile.

  ‘Well, this beats that asshole,’ Toshie thought as she looked at Daedalus’s headless body being dragged away.

  After a silent walk, the four of them, well, five minus a head, were standing at the entrance to the cave. Toshie smiled at Biscuit. “Take care, Biscuit With Cheese.” She hoped she was pronouncing his name right. “Thank you. I owe you my life.”

  Biscuit bowed and said, “Remember, the Princess is dead. You are dead. Do not return to Unterstone, lest you wish to face the wrath of the King and Queen.”

  Sally unhooked her necklace and handed it to him. “Give this to my parents. It will make them believe you. You have my gratitude, Biscuit With Cheese. My parents will not agree, but today, you have served this Princess more than they ever have.”

  “Safe travels, Princess Tunasalad. Safe travels, Great Hero Toshie.” Biscuit turned to Yrlith. “Do not hurt her,” he said and turned around, pulling Daedalus’s body with a rope.

  A few minutes later, they could no longer see the little Dwarf. Sally turned to Toshie and nodded. Toshie smiled.