A Close Call

• Naima Hart, Grade 6
• Short Story
• 2020

Sir Colin and Prince Edward cantered through the forest on their stallions, their heads high and their friendship inseparable. The forest was just outside a humungous castle called Nightwell – One of the most famous kingdoms in the region, they were most known for their exquisite jousting skills. “Whoosh” a loud swishing noise came from behind them. “what was that?” Prince Edward asked. Colin shrugged, also confused. They both decided that it was too risky to keep venturing into the forest with something suspicious around them, so both Sir Colin and Prince Edward descended off their horses. The two of them tethered the stallions onto two different trees and walked further towards where they thought they heard the noise. Apart from the leaves crunching beneath their feet, silence only made the situation worse. Once they were near enough, Edward and Colin turned around to see a gargantuan fire breathing dragon! Smoke fused out its large red scales, the dragon bared horns that curled around the steam coming from its ears and the wings were like bat’s, only way, way bigger. In the dragon’s left scaly hand was a woman with a crown sitting upon her head – the queen! Edward saw his mother trying to wriggle out of the dragon’s grip, but she was not strong enough. A large mass of fire that made the forest around them look blurry came flaring out of the dragon’s mouth. The two boys were stunned, and the heat of the fire made them feel dizzy. They couldn’t move until Prince Edward conjured up the courage to say something. “Don’t worry mother, we shall save you” Sir Colin only managed to nod, but he still seemed unsure because looking at the size of the dragon and then to him, the difference was unfair. Edward started racing up to the dragon first, but when Colin went to slay it, they were both interrupted. “Boys! It’s dinner time” came a familiar voice. “aww” Colin and Edward said in union. It was their mother calling them back into the real world. Their knightly armor had turned into their usual play clothes – orange shorts and ty-dye T-shirts. Although Colin and Edward were sad that they had to leave their exciting adventure, they sure were glad to be having a delicious meal of pasta. “so, what were you two playing?” their mother asked. Colin and Edward exchanged cheerful faces and began telling their mother the tale of two brothers who – almost – slayed a dragon