[ WP ] Dragon . Wanted Alive . No bounty paid for a corpse .

Lord Cadmus was surprised when his friend Sir Augustus called on him; the lord rarely had visitors. Apparently Augustus had some kind of public notice that might interest him. But when Augustus put the notice on the table, Lord Cadmus only glanced at it a moment before he burst out laughing. 
 
 `` A questing paper? What am I supposed to do with this, eat it?'' he chuckled. The idea of Cadmus taking up the quest was a bit silly, but the serious look on Augustus' face ( amplified by the fact that he was standing awkwardly in full body plate ) was much more entertaining. 
 
 `` I found it on the notice board near the town square.'' I just thought you'd like to see it, is all.'' Augustus frowned. `` I know you do n't get out much, and I was thinking...'' 
 
 `` Are you going to go out and capture a dragon? Or are you trying to get *me* to go out for once?'' Cadmus interrupted him. 
 
 `` Of course not. I mean, the thought did cross my mind, you do n't really get out much'' Augustus maintained his serious face, `` but that's not the point. Read it: it says no bounty...'' 
 
 `` Yes, thank you I can read that'' 
 
 ``... no bounty for a corpse.'' Austus continued politely, `` They want a live dragon. I was thinking how unusual that is, which is why I thought you'd be interested. I'm not planning on taking the quest myself though, I do n't think it would even be possible.'' Augustus gestured with his gauntlets, but his brow was still furrowed in concentration. 
 
 `` Oh? You're the great hero dragon slayer, are n't you?'' Lord Cadmus teased. 
 
 `` Well, I killed one dragon,'' Augustus admitted humbly, `` But capturing one alive is a completely different matter. I do n't think a single knight is going to be able to capture a dragon, you'd need a big group, with wizards.'' Augustus gestured, but his eyes were unfocused and his brow was furrowed, `` but still small enough that the dragon would n't notice their approach or feel threatened. It might be a good idea to have at least two archers, maybe armed with...'' 
 
 `` Stop it. Did you just come here to tell me of your plan to capture a dragon? You are not forming your plan to capture a dragon in my bedchamber. Go away if that's all you wanted.'' Lord Cadmus's eyes sparkled, he found it very amusing how seriously Augustus took his role as a quester. 
 
 `` Oh, um, I'm not planning on taking this quest myself of course.'' Augustus raised his hand, `` To be honest, I do n't think anybody will be capturing a dragon alive. Unless they go and ask one politely to come along'' Augustus nodded to Lord Cadmus `` which I am obviously not doing, and I'm not going to bother capturing any dragons etiher, because frankly...'' 
 
 ``..You do n't see any chance of that succeeding,'' Cadmus finished for him. `` It's insane, it would only be attempted by the insane, and whoever is asking is probably insane.'' 
 
 Augustus stared for a moment before closing his mouth. `` Yes.'' there was a dull `` clunk'' as Augustus dropped his arms to his sides. 
 
 `` I was wondering what they could possibly be interested in. There have been no trouble with dragons in the area recently, have there?'' 
 
 `` You know very well there have n't'' Lord Cadmus snapped. `` I have no idea why somebody would want a live dragon. Maybe they want one to plow fields for them, or they're planning a festival and they need to roast a whole flock at once. Generally people avoid dragons altogether, unless the dragon makes it difficult. With a few unbalanced exceptions.'' Cadmus nodded to the dragon slayer. He craned his neck to get a better look at the notice. 
 
 `` And it's not much of a reward, given the circumstances.'' Lord Cadmus frowned. `` and it's not like I'd notice the gold. But the novelty of it interests me. If I had a concern, it would be what this person wants with a dragon. Given I had n't heard about it until now, I'm a bit concerned that it could be something nefarious.'' Lord Cadmus narrowed his eyes and looked at the paper for a moment, as though trying to make up his mind about it. 
 
 `` Alright, Sir Knight. I have a quest for you.'' Lord Cadmus pronounced, puffing up his chest importantly, `` Find out more about this notice and the people interested in a dragon, and let me know what's going on.'' 
 
 
 `` Yes, your Lordship'' Augustus nodded. 
 
 `` Would you be staying for dinner?'' 
 
 `` Ah, no thank you.'' Augustus raised his hand again. Lord Cadmus had recently let his servants go and Augustus was wary of his cooking. 
 
 `` Ah, well here's two silver, that's dinner and a night at the inn.'' Lord Cadmus reached under himself and took two silver pieces out of the massive hoard of coins he used as a bed, tossing them at Augustus's feet. `` If they do n't need me for anything malicious, I'll help you out, and you can even keep half. Mind, I get the bigger half.'' 
 
 Augustus chuckled as he picked up his two silver, and then waved to Lord Cadmus as he climbed up and out of the cave.
