‘It doesn’t matter whether he did it or not, to be honest. All that matters is that there have been three separate incidents. You can check The Dragonslayer’s Manual if you want.’

I didn’t need to. He was right. As long as they had the hallmarks of Dragonattack, the three incidents was enough. These were the rules laid down by the Mighty Shandar four centuries ago and ratified by the Council of Dragons. Perhaps it was my destiny to kill Dragons; I was, after all, a Dragonslayer.

Sir Matt Grifflon

Sir Matt Grifflon

The door to the Dragonstation was open when I got back. There was no sign of Gordon. Instead, sitting at the kitchen table and reading through The Dragonslayer’s Manual was a striking-looking man with a lantern jaw and long flowing blond hair. He looked up at me and smiled his best smile as I entered, rising politely to his feet. I knew who he was well enough but pretended I didn’t.

‘What’s this?’ I asked him. ‘A Mr Handsome competition?’

‘My name is Sir Matt Grifflon,’ he said in a deep voice that set the teacups rattling in the corner cupboard. ‘His Gracious Majesty King Snodd IV has ordered me to personally oversee the Dragonkilling process in order that this whole sorry business can be brought to a successful conclusion as soon as possible. I have been given free rein over the manner in which this is done, and any order from me can be taken to have come from King Snodd himself.’

He was sickeningly full of self-confidence.

‘I’m sorry,’ I said, ‘what did you say your name was again?’

He glared at me.

‘I don’t think you fully appreciate the seriousness of the situation. The evidence is clear: Maltcassion is rogue and will be destroyed.’

‘Evidence can be faked.’

He held up The Dragonslayer’s Manual.

‘Faked or not, the rule of the Dragonpact is clear: three attacks and the Dragon must be destroyed. Proof is no longer a burden in this investigation, Miss Strange. If you do not have the stomach for the job, then step aside.’

He was right, of course. The rules were clear and I was bound by them.

‘I will do my duty.’

‘And kill the Dragon?’

‘If that is what my duty entails.’

‘Not good enough,’ he said, his voice rising.

‘No one can replace me unless I agree,’ I replied hotly.

‘Will you kill the Dragon? YES or NO?’

‘If the Dragon is rogue, I will do my duty.’

‘YES or NO!’

He was shouting at me now, and I was shouting back.

‘NO!’ I yelled as hard as I could. The knight fell silent.