THE HUNTER IV

            But she had not gone far.

            He found her down stairs, easting breakfast and drinking wine with Virgil.

            Virgil passed him the bottle and he took a swig. Ale would have been better, but as far as wine went it was good. He was about to ask if there was any bread left when a tough looking, exhausted men strode into the room and put a big basket down on the table. It smelled good.

            ‘Pies, m’lords.’ The man grunted, then walked out.

            A moment later came the sounds of cows, goats, sheep and hens, followed by the roars and grunts of the men who herded them up the road.

            The ogre must have had his minions working all through the night to keep his word.

            The basket contained 3 beef and ale pies and 3 game pies. The ogre knew who he was working with.

            The ogre had a deal. The dragon would be hunted.

            It must have been a hell of a wager.

            ‘What is happening?’ Molly asked

            ‘The ogre is finally being a proper king, and I’m going to hunt a dragon.’

            Virgil had already got a knife and was carving up the pies, he wished the ogre had sent some ale- but that wasn’t part of the deal.

            ‘I don’t understand…’ Molly said. “Why is the ogre giving us pies? Where are the animals from?... A dragon? Why would you want to hunt a dragon?’

            ‘The ogre thinks there is one last dragon,’ Virgil explained,’ and he has made some extravagant wager that Raymond can kill it. Raymond refused to hunt the dragon unless the ogre fed the village.'

            Molly looked at Raymond with renewed admiration, and then frowned.

            ‘Why would you want to go and fight a dragon? A dragon for the Gods sake?'

            ‘It’s what we do,’ Virgil said.

            Raymond’s mouth was full of pie, so he nodded enthusiastically.

           

             Two men walked down a mountain. Down in the valley the snow was beginning to melt under the afternoon sun. They followed the road westward, looking for an inn to spend the night.

            The road turned south as it hit a broad river, and eventually led to a stout stone bridge. They met another traveler at the bridge, who was heading north.

            ‘Good afternoon fellows,’ the young traveler greeted them. “Where are you off to?’

            ‘West,’ said the old man, who walked with a younger man.

            ‘I go up the mountain,’ said the young traveler with a grin. ‘They say wondrous things have happened. A troll slaying last night! And a great feast… because of the great troll slaying! Like in songs of ancient times…Have you heard of it?’

            ‘No,’ the old man said. ‘I have not heard of it. I have seen it.’