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The first thing he noticed was the smell. It reached him before he saw where he was or had any emotions about it. It was the smell of an unclean body, mouldy straw and damp stonework. It made him feel sick. Next he took in where he was standing – the turret. Aurelia was staring at him with an expression combining amazement and admiration. She was even prettier in the flesh, but his mind was not prepared to deal with that. It was too busy with masses of panicky thoughts. He was in another world. How could he cope? How could he get back? Could he ever get back? He was absolutely scared out of his wits. “Why me, why me, why me?” “Why you what?” enquired Aurelia. Henry was unable to reply. “Wicked spell,” she said. “Well, no, great spell, as it brought you here with ---” she opened one of the bags, “--- all this gold!” Her voice almost squeaked with excitement. Henry remained unable to reply. “Has it taken away your power of speech?” She seemed rather concerned. “Perhaps the spell was stronger than necessary. Or may be one of the ingredients wasn’t pure. That can cause unpleasant side effects.” Henry lurched over to the open window, looked down to the moat below and was sick. “Sit down,” said Aurelia kindly, leading him to the one chair. ”You’re obviously not used to magic.” “No,” croaked Henry, but this really meant, “No, I shouldn’t be here.” “Well you wouldn’t be. You’re a man of action.” “No.” “Don’t be modest. You have a brilliant reputation.” Henry looked up at her lovely face and somewhere inside a little self-preservation chip kicked in. “Yes.” “I want you to tell me all your adventures.” “Now?” “No, not now. Now I want to leave this turret, have a bath and make myself beautiful for you. Oh and have my father released.” “Good – plan.” “The King will be here any moment. He comes here every day after breakfast.” “But it’s the evening.” “No, it’s the morning. You really are disorientated.” “If only that.” From outside the turret door could be heard the sound of footsteps and bolts being unlocked. “You must stand up,” said Aurelia. “Must I?” “Yes. It’s the King. You must look like a hero - which now I come to consider it, you don’t quite. Why aren’t you wearing shining armour or expensive raiment?” “Raiment?” “Clothing.” “A side effect of the spell.” The door opened and the King entered, together with a few soldiers. When he saw Henry he cried, “An escape attempt. It won’t work. Overpower him.” “This is Prince Henry,” said Aurelia. “Ah,” said the King a little less certainly, “you’ve got some sort of valiant deed planned, I’ll be bound.” “If necessary,” said Henry surprising himself. “However, let’s hope it won’t be.” “Absolutely,” laughed the King. “You wanted ten more bags of gold. I’ve provided them. Now please let this young lady go free.” “Not a problem,” said the King. “She’s - you’ve fulfilled her side of the bargain.” “She wants a bath,” said Henry, and blushed, “and a, em, gown.” “Silken gown,” said Aurelia. “Silken gown.” “My pleasure,” said the King “And her father ---” added Henry. “Good as done,” said the King. This was all rather easy. “Come,” said the King expansively, “Let us leave this wretched turret. And allow me to say, Prince Henry, I’m greatly impressed with your feat of bringing one two, three --- ten heavy --- yes indeed --- bags of gold ---” which the King took the precaution of checking “--- into the tower unseen by any of my guards outside. I should be angry, you breaking in like this, but, ha ha, of course I’m honoured that my castle should be the scene of your latest exploit. How many times did you have to climb up here, I wonder?” “I can’t reveal that,” replied Henry with what he hoped was an enigmatic smile. “No indeed,” said the King. “Mystery is part of the legend.” That was useful information. The King led them down from the tower and Aurelia was taken away to be reunited with her father, followed by a bath, or possibly the other way round. The smell of unwashed bodies was still fairly pervasive, although the King himself was drenched in some sort of fragrance. They went into a large hall where a sullen young man greeted them. It was the King’s son, the Crown Prince, who it turned out was anxious that he would be forced to marry Aurelia. “Right,” said the King to him, “get used to the idea that you’re about to be married.” “Are they engaged, your Majesty?” asked Henry. “Not formally, no, but it’s how things are done around here. We put a maiden in the tower on some excuse or other, and should she produce what we ask – gold, silver, diamonds, whatever – she marries the current Crown Prince.” “Do the maidens always manage to come up with the goods?” “No,” said the King. “More often than not they don’t. We’ve had any number of Crown Princes who don’t get married until they’re really quite elderly monarchs. So,” he said to his son, “you should be relieved.” “Well I’m not,” said the Crown Prince. “She isn’t my type.” “Anyone who produces thirty bags of gold is your type,” said the King. “Take it from me.” He turned to Henry. “Perhaps you’d care to join us for breakfast. There’s a little matter I’d like to raise with you.” “Oh.” Henry did not care for the sound of that. He was also put out at the thought of Aurelia marrying the Crown Prince. “Yes,” resumed the King, as they sat eating a variety of cold cooked flesh, crusty rolls, honey and seasonal berries, “it’s not something which will cause you any trouble, but would be of great assistance to me. There would obviously be a reward, suitable for a man of your rank and reputation.” “Some sort of derring do required?” suggested Henry, with a tiny laugh. “Naturally,” said the King. “A violent deed?” “Momentarily, yes, but nothing you won’t have done before.” “Involving ---?” “What you’ll like about it is that it’s a matter of honour.” “I’m pleased to hear it. And the task is ---?” “It’s to avenge one of my knights. He was smashed to death.” “Oh. Dear. Unpleasant.” “And unexpected,” said the King. ”I imagine that sort of thing always is.” “I’m not making myself clear,” said the King. “He should have been roasted and then eaten.” “Should?” “That would have been normal. But he was simply discarded. That’s quite an insult.” “How, em, did this happen?” But Henry had already guessed. “He was trying to kill a dragon.” “A dragon.” “Don’t be alarmed,” said the King. “I wouldn’t insult you with an ordinary dragon which any novice knight could dispose of. It’s Deathbreather.” “That would be the ancient and legendary dragon who guards so much treasure.” “As it happens, yes,” said the King. “Acquiring that great hoard would be an incidental advantage of Deathbreather’s death.” “He is pretty vicious,” said Henry. “Indeed he is,” agreed the King, “But as you point out, he is very old now and is vulnerable to someone with your legendary skills.” “Naturally,” said Henry. “And I will certainly get round to him.”