The Eyes of the Dragon

137

The locket,” Peter panted to Dennis as they ran. “Do you still have the locket I threw down?”

Dennis clutched at his throat, and found the golden heart-. Peter’s own blood dried on the tip-and nodded.

“Give it to me.”

Dennis passed it to him as they ran. Peter did not put the chain over his neck, but looped it in his fist so that the heart bounced and spun as he ran, flashing red-gold in the light of the wall sconces.

“Soon, my friends,” Peter panted.

They turned a corner. Ahead Peter saw the door to his father’s apartments. It was here that he had last seen Roland. He had been a King, responsible for the lives and welfare of thousands; he had also been an old man grateful for a warming glass of wine and a few minutes of talk with his son. It was here that it would end.

Once upon a time, his father had slain a dragon with an arrow called Foe-Hammer.

Now, Peter thought, as blood pounded in his temples and his heart raced hotly in his chest, I must try to slay another dragon… a much greater one…with that same arrow.