[ WP ] Write the classic story of the knight saving the princess from a tower guarded by a dragon , from the dragon 's perspective .

Wyte was having the most relaxing evening he'd had in *decades*, when the puny person layered with metal and riding an equestrian morsel of meat showed up. 
 
 Really, it was such a shame to waste the fading light fighting a knight. But he could n't afford to lose this guard job, and besides, if the knight passed, the King would finally give Wyte the last half of the money in the contract, and Wyte was tired of waiting. 
 
 Groaning, he rose up from where he lay, his massive bones popping as he stretched. Twenty feet away, the knight shouted in his tinny voice, and Wyte caught a couple defiant words. 
 
 Wyte snorted. `` While I appreciate the role of a brave knight, Sir whateveryournameis, I'd really rather just get this over with.'' Rearing back, he adopted a more official tone. `` You must pass three tests in order to save the princess. First is the test of bravery, then the test of...'' 
 
 Wyte trailed off. The knight did n't seem to be listening at all. In fact, the horse was gone, presumably having bolted as soon as Wyte started speaking, and the knight was curled up on the ground, hands over his head. His helmet had fallen off, and Wyte could see that the knight was barely more than a boy, probably just promoted from a squire. 
 
 `` Hello? Are you ok?'' Wyte learned down, putting his snout close to the young knight. `` Did you hit your head?'' 
 
 With a strangled gasp, the knight scurried backwards, away from Wyte, and the dragon drew himself away. This was a rather confusing situation. Maybe he had better ask an expert. 
 
 Turning around, he lumbered back toward the tower, and reared up to look in a window. `` Princess?'' 
 
 Movement in the corner of the room caught his attention, and he saw her stand up, holding a rather thick book. `` Yes? What is it, Wyte?'' 
 
 `` There's a knight out here, but he's acting rather strange. I'm not totally sure what to do.'' He tilted his head a little, trying to get a better view of the book she was holding. `` What book is that, by the way? 
 
 She clutched it close. `` *Sir Redrick and the Trolls of Norvan*. It came in the shipment you brought me the other day. It's the second book of a trilogy, about Sir Redrick and his adventures. It horribly misrepresents dragons, of course, but the story is amazing!'' She sighed. `` Unfortunately, I ca n't find the last book in any of the boxes.'' Shaking her head, she turned back to Wyte. `` But no matter. Something is wrong with the latest would-be rescuer?'' She leaned out the window to look. 
 
 While they had been talking, the knight had recovered his composure. He now stood, sword held in both hands, facing the dragon. But even from this distance, they could see the blade wavering, the evening light reflecting off of its trembling surface. 
 
 `` Wyte, I do believe he's actually scared of you!'' The princess gave him a reproachful look. `` What did you do to him?'' 
 
 `` Nothing! All I did was tell him of the trials, and he turned into a blubbering mess!'' 
 
 `` Wait.'' The princess gave Wyte a *look*. `` You *spoke* to him? Wyte, you do remember it took me a month to realize your rumblings were words, rather than growls or words, right?'' She laughed, an amused giggle. `` He does n't understand you!'' 
 
 `` Oh.'' Wyte felt a little sheepish. `` But... But what about the other knight that showed up? He understood me!'' 
 
 She grimaced. `` That grizzled old geezer? He's probably met dozens of dragons before. He was an experienced knight, you remember.'' She shuddered. `` Still, I'm glad you turned him away.'' 
 
 They both turned to contemplate the young knight. As if on queue, he shouted again. `` You stay away from her, dragon! I'm not afraid of you! Ill defeat you like... like...'' for moment, he wavered as much as his sword, but then he stiffened his grip, and steadied himself. `` Like Sir Redrick defeated the Dragon of Drizz!'' 
 
 The princess clapped delightedly. `` That's the third book!'' She cupped her hands over her mouth and yelled back. `` Does Redrick get to keep the mystical sword when his quest is over?'' 
 
 Totally misunderstanding, the knight replied. `` Do n't worry, princess! I'll save you!'' 
 
 White gave her a sly look. `` Now who is n't being understood?'' 
 
 She scowled at him, then gave the knight a thoughtful look. `` Do you think he might pass? He does n't look half bad.'' 
 
 `` Well, he did n't run away, so he technically has enough bravery to pass that test. And it looks like he reads, so I could count that as the test of intelligence...'' 
 
 `` Wyte, are you trying to get rid of me?'' She gave him a mock pout. `` I thought we were friends!'' 
 
 `` Weeell, six months is a long time for a guard job, you have to admit, and I'm sure you are dying to get out of this tower as well, are n't you?'' He grinned, wide and toothy. 
 
 She laughed. `` You've got me there! Still, he has one test left to pass, does n't he?'' 
 
 
 He nodded. `` The test of strength. I can think of one way to do it, though.'' Pulling his head away from the window, he turned back toward the knight. *If he wants to slay a dragon, let's give him a dragon to slay! * 
 
 Hurling his massive body forward, he landed a couple feet away from the knight, opened his mouth, and let out a roar that shook the trees. The knight stumbled backwards, but kept the determined look on his face. When Wyte stopped to take a breath, the young man dove forward, slashing with the sharp length of metal he held. 
 
 He missed entirely, and the momentum carried him another couple feet, but he regained his balance and spun around, raising it again. A little impressed by the speed, Wyte stomped forward, missing him by a yard, and leaving his talon open for attack. He saw the knights eyes widen, and then felt the sting of the small blade as it nicked his ankle. 
 
 Rearing in mock distress, he staggered backwards, screeching loudly the whole way. After a couple shaky steps, he collapsed heavily to the ground, letting out one final grunt, he fell silent, closed his eyes, and lay as still as he could. 
 
 He could hear the princess, looking out the window, giggling at his theatrics, and the young knight panting heavily, probably from both the battle and shock. After a moment, a pattering of shoes on stairs appeared, followed by the heavy sliding of a bolt on a wood door. Peering through his eyelids, he saw the princess run out from the tower, and kneel down next to his head. She whispered to him, *'' Write me later! Thanks for everything! `` * 
 
 Then, standing up, she turned to the knight. `` Oh valiant knight, you have slain the mighty Dragon, and freed me from his vain clutches!'' She curtsied toward him. `` Take me to my Fathers castle, and you will receive your reward.'' 
 
 Wyte had to forcibly stop himself from snorting in laughter. 
 
 The knight, however, just looked confused. `` Uh... I did n't actually know there *was* a reward.'' 
 
 The princess stopped. `` Then why'd you come to rescue me?'' 
 
 Starting to turn red, the knight shuffled his feet. `` I'm not *actually* a knight... I'm really just a farmer's boy. But we live right next to a town with a library, and I read a lotta books about it. One of the librarians used to be a knight, and we became friends, so when he heard about a princess stuck in a tower, he let me borrow his armor. I... I just did n't like the idea of someone trapped in a tower, held captive by a dragon.'' 
 
 She gaped at him, and even Wyte found it difficult to stay still and not roll over from surprise. *I think he's more frightened of her than he was of me! * he thought, amused. 
 
 `` So,'' she said, `` You are n't a knight, looking for glory and a princesses hand in marriage, you're a nerdy farmboy who just happened to hear about me and wanted to help?'' 
 
 He nodded, looking down at the ground. 
 
 `` I like you even more now!'' The princess grabbed his elbow and pulled him along after her. `` Lets go find your horse and get back to my castle so Father can meet you.'' She grinned at him. `` In the meantime, you can tell me what happens to Sir Redrick when he encounters the Dragon of Drizz!'' 
 
 As they walked away, Wyte let go of his breath in a huge sigh. He'd miss that princess. She was interesting, and recommended lots of good books. *But, * he reminded himself, *I can always write her! Besides, I deserve to finish my relaxing evening after a performance like that. * 
 
 He curled up, bathed in the light of the setting sun. He'd go collect his reward in a week or two, and then he could see how his friend and the farmboy were getting along.
