"No bandits?" Cristi questioned, looking at the mayor. Why request a knight, then?

"Not a one," the mayor replied. "Tad takes care of those."

"Tad?"

"Dragon. He lives in an old barn out by Milkweed Drain. Keeps us safe, doesn't mind the flooding, but..."

The mayor eyed Cristi.

"You have a good reading voice?"

Cristi nodded. She had seven younger siblings and plenty of practice, too.

"Fantastic. Tad likes stories."

"I'm here to read to a dragon?" That was a detail not in the assignment!

The mayor grinned. "Much easier than bandits."

#wss366