The Only One He Ever Feared
Originally published in Fly In Amber November 2009
The blare of trumpets cascaded through the Great Hall. Every voice fell quiet, from the lowest servant to the noble lords and ladies and the king himself.
Taking his dear wife's arm, Sir Berthold the Brave stepped onto the red carpet, holding aloft a dragon's claw. Whispers followed him across the hall. 'He tore it from the great beast himself . . . after he had killed it with only his sword . . . and braved its flaming breath . . .'
At the dais, the king rose from his throne, spreading his hands. 'Welcome, welcome to our hero, Sir Berthold the Brave, the saviour of our kingdom.'
Sir Berthold warmed with pride.
The king gestured at a table groaning under the weight of the most splendid of meals. 'You and y
