Vivianne turned her back to him and stared into the fire for a few heartbeats. The only sound in the room was that of the crackling fire. Suddenly the flames flared as if an accellerant was cast over the tinder. The Lady did not turn back to him but rather said,<br/><br/>"You may go."<br/><br/>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br/>Nimue coaxed Layla back to her den. Convincing the dragon to leave the stallion behind was not so easy but with a whimper, she followed Nimue back to obscurity. The stallion grazed his way back to the yard closest to the front door. The young woman stroked the dragon's wing and made soothing humming sounds as she led her to the back wall where the velvet pallets were.<br/><br/>"Come, Layla, you must stay here when strangers are around. The stranger is that wonderful knight I told you about earlier. He said I could become a knight if I wished. I have no idea about how to go about that, but a knight would travel from place to place, having many adventures. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you and I could fly forth to right the wrongs for the people? We could conquer the Vikings, the ones who killed my little family. We could wear scarlet cloaks and everywhere bards would sing of our deeds. How wonderful that would be."<br/><br/>Nimue sat down next to the dragon's clawed foot and leaned her chin in her hands. She sighed.<br/><br/>"I know that is not to be. Here, eat some cabbage and these lovely carrots. I must go. You stay here, out of sight."<br/><br/>Nimue gathered a handful of the carrots and began to walk away. Layla followed her.<br/><br/>"No, these are for the nice horse. You stay here."<br/><br/>Once again the dragon appeared to whimper and the spines along her back drooped as if she were greatly disappointed<br/><br/>"I'm sorry, Layla. I suppose to you who have never seen another dragon, that the black stallion is the largest male animal you have ever seen."<br/><br/>Nimue giggled.<br/><br/>"I don't think horses and dragons are apt mates for one another. " Her face fell. " Probably like knights and acolytes of the Lady. You stay here. I have to go now."<br/><br/>Nimue hurried back into the waning sun and went to give the stallion the carrots.