text: [Themes: fantasy, socially important, historical, war]
  
  But all the preparation in the world means nothing when you're fighting a fire-breathing, flying dragon. How on earth are you supposed to kill it? If you get close enough to fight it will simply take to the skies and roast you from afar. Perhaps an arrow to the eye might bring it down, but that's a long shot.
  
  You need to get help, but from whom? There is the kingdom of Merrywed to the North and Thundershield to the East. You have long-standing diplomatic relations with the king of Merrywed, and he has previously offered his daughter's hand in marriage in exchange for an agreement of free trade and mutual protection. You are unsure that the offer of marriage still stands while you are under attack, or even if his soldiers would be enough to drive away the dragon. Alternatively, you could approach the mighty Thundershields and hire yourself a battalion of fearsome but untrustworthy mercenaries. If you are uncomfortable with asking a neighboring kingdom for help, perhaps it is best to look inward and ask your father for advice. He is no great leader, but a wise tactician.
  
  > hire Thundershield Mercenaries: go to section 9a if you sent soldiers with the messengers
  With greater reserves of gold than warriors, you decide that your best chance to survive the dragon is to pay someone to kill him for you. The Thundershield Mercenaries are the fiercest swords for hire in the land. You go to your greatest tactician, Luca, for advice.
  
  "Luca. As you know, we lost many brave warriors to the dragon when we first met it in the woods, and perhaps we no longer have the arms to defeat it on our own. You once told me that the there is no foe that the Thundershield warriors cannot overcome. Do you think it would be wise to purchase their help?"
  
  "My lord, it is true that you have heard me speak of the bravery of the Thundershield warriors. You have also heard my thoughts on mercenaries in general. They are useless and dangerous; and if one holds his state based on these arms he will stand neither firm nor safe. However, in times of crisis we must consider that we no longer have the option to follow the wise course and must instead take risks. Now is one of those times. In our time of weakness we are more likely to be ourselves robbed by the mercenaries we hire, but we must take that risk if you believe there are no viable alternatives."
  
  "I understand Luca, and I have made up my mind. Please reach out to your contacts within the Thundershields and hire as many men as you think necessary to defeat the dragon."
  
  "Yes, my lord."
  
  Luca worked fast. In a day, a fair price for the Thundershields' protection was negotiated: two thousand gold pieces. Steep under any circumstance, but leverage isn't on your side. You would have given up the entire treasury.
  
  When their army of two hundred brave warriors arrives, you open the city gates, uneasy, and let them in. Your warriors are still in the field protecting your messengers, as only two thirds of your people have made it within the safety of the city walls. News of the dragon making its way closer trickles in, and you know that you have no choice.
  
  The mercenaries, every one looking tougher than the last, each carry an iron shield adorned with a painted thunderbolt, and at least two weapons be they lance, sword, or crossbow. They came prepared.
  
  Their leader – obvious not because he was in the front but because he was over seven feet tall with arms the size of tree trunks and was the only one wielding a double-bladed axe, clears his throat.
  
  "I am Brute, the leader of this contingent of the mighty Thundershields, and I have come here to collect payment in exchange for slaying a dragon. And which among you is King Morrow?"
  
  Your hand on your hilt, you approach the giant with as straight a back as you can muster, beckoning the three servants carrying the bag of gold payment to follow closely.
  
  "That would be me. Thank you for coming on such short notice. Here is your payment. Up front and in full. My vassal Garik will lead you to your quarters. I hope everything is to your satisfaction. The dragon is predicted to arrive any day now, I wish your men much rest."
  
  "Your words are as kind as your gold is generous. It has been a tiresome journey – we did not want to risk the dragon getting to your gold before we did, ha ha."
  
  Brute seemed more like a dick than a backstabber. The lesser of two evils you suppose. Chance of betrayal: slim. You sleep easy that night.
  
  The days that followed were generally uneventful. The dragon did not make an appearance, and Brute and his men took the opportunity to enjoy themselves. They drank, they slept, they ate; they pleased themselves of women. At this rate, they would leave as penniless as they came.
  
  Finally, the moment arrives. Heard miles before it came, the dragon sounds more terrifying than even Garik described it. As the flying lizard makes its way to the city, letting loose jets of fire as it approaches, your men hurry the civilians below ground. You half-expected the Thundershields to flee with your gold and leave your people defenseless, but Garik had spent much time with Brute and assured you that he was gruff but honorable. Even mercenaries have a reputation to uphold. Besides, Luca was right. It was a risk you had to take all along.
  
  The real risk is whether the Thundershields are as good as they said they are. They looked the part, and their plan for taking the dragon down was half-decent, but that's all it was – a plan. You wouldn't have to wait long to find out if it worked. Of course, if it didn't work, you wouldn't have to wait long for anything because well, you know.
  
  As the dragon descended, Brute gave a great shout and hurled his battle axe at its neck. It flew spinning through the air, but the dragon saw it coming. Clenching its wings and twisting, it just avoided the weapon, but failed to note the incoming projectiles from the other side. While the dragon was distracted by Brute, his five strongest men had thrown immobilizing bolas at the dragon, heavy balls of iron linked together by chains. As they collided with the dragon, they roped around it, tying its legs, its jaw – one even caught the dragon by the bones protruding out of the ridges of its wings, preventing it from spreading them for further flight. The great beast was grounded. The Thundershields surrounded the dragon as a swarm, fearless and lethal. It tried to light its closest attackers on fire but the warriors spread out in a circle and protected themselves with their giant round-shields, and one of the bolas prevented the dragon from fully opening its maw. Its various limbs entangled, flightless, and surrounded, the dragon fought a hopeless fight to the end. Within minutes it was hacked to pieces, and very much dead.
  
  Only three of Brute's men were wounded, but not critically so. Grinning, he waved you over to confirm that his men earned their bag of gold and then some, but he was just bragging at this point. The dragon was as still as a rock.
  
  "King Morrow – may today serve as proof there is honor in the word of a sellsword. Your people are safe and mine are rich. If ever you find yourself in danger again, send word – we can always stand to be richer. Farewell."
  
  As you wave goodbye to this strange group of armed men, you are both relieved and stunned by how well everything turned out. Perhaps Luca was right. Success is half-chance but if you don't take risks Lady Luck won't even cast the die on your behalf.
  
  The End