The rules of combat 6/10

George found the villagers of Hetherside living in fear as they always had before the dragons’ conversion to eating coal. They were extremely pleased to see him since most other knights had taken early retirement through lack of work.

"We think the witch has made the dragon more powerful than usual," he was told, "he can breathe flame well over a furlong. You'll be able to see the scorched bushes marking the range from his cave when you get up there. The witch hasn't really troubled us much yet, she's been too busy trying to get the dragons to change back to eating peasants, but so far as we know she's only reconverted the one."

George put on his suit of armour and mounted his horse.

"Just like the good old days, lots of danger and excitement, possibility of death at any moment and half a ton of armour breaking your back. I prefer story telling."

George let the horse have his moan without any interruption. He was used to it by now and knew that his trusty steed would act bravely when the need arose.

He slowed his horse to a walk as they started climbing the hill on the outskirts of the Boneswood. Sure enough he spotted the charred bushes well before the place where he remembered Karg's cave to be. He stopped and dismounted carrying only his sword and shield.

"I don't think we'll be able to charge over the distance to the cave before the dragon draws a second breath," he said.

"I'm sure we won't," said the horse, "I don't think we could get up there in time even if I wasn't having to carry the weight of all your armour."

"Would you like to buy one of my juicy red apples before you go up there?" said a voice behind them, "nice and refreshing and very cheap."

Fortunately Jennifer Jane had described the witch's trick to George, so that he knew who he was dealing with. He turned round sword in hand.

"No thank you," he said politely and struck at the witch as hard as he could.

He only just missed. The witch had been taken completely by surprise.

"That was very silly of you," she said nastily, "so now I think I'll have a bit of fun with you before you get roasted."

George took two steps towards the witch, drew back his sword and struck again. She disappeared.

"Look out, she's behind you,” said the horse.

George looked round; sure enough there she was just out of the reach of his sword, with a nasty smile on her face.

"Talking horses as well, oh deary me, I can see I'll have to make some arrangements for roast horse as well."

George turned round as quickly as he was able in his cumbersome armour and struck another blow. There was a cackle of laughter behind him and he turned again to make another attempt. This continued for a few minutes until he was exhausted. The witch was always behind him about six inches away from the reach of his sword.

"Oh you're no fun any more," said the witch as George stood there panting, with the tip of his sword resting on the ground. "Raknor, roast him and the horse as well if you want" she shouted. Then she ran off up the hill towards the castle ruins.

George suddenly realised that during the fight he'd been drawn just inside the line of charred bushes. A rather smug looking dragon came out of his cave and grinned at George.

"It'll be a bit of a nuisance getting you out of your tin," he said, "but you'll taste better because it keeps the juices in."

George didn't like the sound of that at all, but he was too tired to run away out of range. The dragon took a deep breath and the most tremendous fireball he'd ever experienced came hurtling towards him. The witch had most definitely enhanced the dragon's natural powers.

A reflex action made him raise his left arm and he staggered as the fireball hit him dead centre. Fortunately it split on his shield and passed harmlessly by on either side. His horse trotted up beside him.

"Quick, mount up before he can take another breath and we'll get out of here."

George did as he was told and before he was fairly seated, the horse turned and galloped as fast as possible down the hill.