Free An Apple a Day Keeps the Dragon Away by Amber D Sistla

An Apple a Day Keeps the Dragon Away
    By Amber D. Sistla
     
     
    This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this story are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
     
    An Apple a Day Keeps the Dragon Away
    Copyright © 2011 by Amber D. Sistla
    All rights reserved.
     
    Published by Zephyr Publishing
    www.ambersistla.com
     
     
     
    An Apple a Day Keeps the Dragon Away
     
     
     
     
    Pavel, the village teacher, allowed a dramatic pause to fill the room, then took a deep breath. His prominent belly nudged the table that was filled with the remnants of a lavish meal. "And that is why the pen is mightier than the sword." The crowd roared in appreciation of his tale.
    "Pavel, you always have the best Dragon's Eve tales," said the judge, raising his voice to be heard over the laughter. "Well, everyone. Safe journey home. Hope the dragon doesn't eat you, and I look forward to seeing you all when Dragon's Month is over."
    Everyone raised their mugs and replied in unison. "Hope the dragon doesn't eat you."
    In the quiet that followed, a slurred voice came from the back of the room. "Although, if the pen really is mightier than the sword, why bother the king for any more knights? Just send Pavel and his pen to defeat the dragon."
    Pavel narrowed his eyes; he recognized that nasal twang. "If you have something to say, come forward and say it like a man, Yuri."
    A lean man, ostentatiously dressed to display his wealth, pushed through the crowd. Yuri smiled genially, his weasel eyes bright. He was the sort of man who always wore a smile whether he was repossessing a cow, killing a chicken, or courting Melora. "We all know you are the smartest man here. Everyone in the kingdom knows about your wit and knowledge. The king's knights are always killed trying to fight the dragon, so why not use the stronger weapon? Unless the pen isn't really mightier than the sword. . ."
    Pavel lumbered to his feet, towering over Yuri. It was obvious that Yuri was intentionally provoking him, yet. . . Half a dozen scathing retorts rested on the tip of his tongue, yet. . .He saw Melora watching thoughtfully. If I succeed, maybe she will finally agree to marry me. "Of course." His words came out in a squeak so he cleared his throat. "I've been remiss. Tonight I visit the dragon to defeat it with words, the mightiest weapons of all."
    Yuri gaped, then grinned widely.
    It wasn't hard for Pavel to guess the reason for Yuri's grin. If I died, Yuri would be rid of his main rival for the affections of the lovely Melora.
    Most of the villagers owed Yuri money and turned their faces away in unprotesting silence.
    "Pavel," said the judge, "no one expects you to fight the dragon. Let's all go home, and we'll all have a good laugh about it next Dragon's Eve."
    "Thank you, friend, but I must go. Who'll see me to the base of the dragon's cliff?" A dozen hands flew up, including sweet Melora's who came to whisper in his ear that he had better come back alive.
    ****
    Pavel paused to lean against a large boulder. Unused to the demands of such strenuous activity, his chest heaved, sucking in the cold air. He saw the torches of a handful of villagers waiting about a hundred feet away where he'd left them.
    Taking a deep, wheezing breath, Pavel trekked up the trail winding along the side of the steep cliff. Nearly at the top, a rock shifted under his foot. The torch went one way, and Pavel went the other. He managed to catch hold of a tree trunk just as his legs slid over the edge. If I die, I die, but it will not be because of a rock. Bit by bit, he hefted himself back onto firm ground. He panted and watched the first rays of sunshine filter over the horizon.
    Panicked, Pavel struggled to stand. He scrabbled up the remaining distance, but the sun was firmly up by the time he stood at the cave's dark entrance. It must be empty, he thought. The dragon always left after sunrise.
    I'm too late . The