THE MOMENT
The king was immune to the dragon's display; it was no longer impressive. He watched as the large dragon with blood-red scales shrunk and changed shape to a normal-sized, tan man with purple and red hair. The dragon chose the appearance of a fit man in his late 20s with rugged red stubble on his face. He was on one knee as his transmogrification completed; but, after the necessary formality, he rose to his feet again to stare the king in the eyes.
"His Royal Majesty, King Joseph Marcus Fredericks the First recognizes London the Blood Moon dragon. You may speak," the court Jester announced.
"Thank you, your highness," London gave a curt nod. "I've come to deliver my fair share of tax," he tossed a small leather pouch toward the Jester. It was unexpected; but, he managed to catch it amid a ruckus of jingling bells.
"I appreciate your eagerness to comply with my decree," the King replied. "However, it is quite unnecessary. I have tax collectors for a purpose," he added. "In the future, you would do well to await their visit."
"Oh, okay," London nodded and half-shrugged. "I will, thanks," as he answered, he looked around at the throne room. The few diplomats and nobles present had all congregated in one corner of the room. London didn't know if it was because it was the furthest corner away from him; or, because that's where the banquet table was. Either way, he decided that was the corner he liked too. He turned away from the King and made his way to the table of food.
"Was there something else you needed, good dragon?" The King asked when he realized London wasn't moving toward the exit.
"Not from you," London turned to shake his head at the King, then he gestured at the table. "I'm good, just gonna grab a bite," he said.
"Please, take as much as you like with you," the King replied. "You may take the entire table and leave; we can easily replace and replenish it."
"Thank you," London nodded again. "But, I'm going to be here for a while, so I don't want to eat everything right away; you have other guests too," he chuckled.
"Is that right?" the King asked. He sat forward for the first time and focused on London. "Might I ask how long you will grace us with your company?"
"I dunno? A year.. maybe a few?" he shrugged. "Don't worry about a thing, you won't even know I'm here. I'll sleep through most of it.. maybe over there. That's a nice spot," he nodded at the shadows behind the King's throne.
"Surely you have a cavern home more to your liking...," the King said. London laughed.
"You're going to tell me a cave is more comfortable than a royal throne room? I don't think I can agree with that; but, this is fine, right?" London nodded at the Jester. "I paid my taxes, I'm a citizen welcome in the castle at any time."
"Guests are welcome," the King replied. "Loafers are not," he made a gesture and within seconds armored knights marched into the room. They already had their weapons drawn; their enchanted swords glowed with faint blue light. "Loyal citizen, I suggest you leave for your own safety," the King smiled.
"Thank you for your concern," London returned the smile and the king blinked. "But, this is a great throne room, I'm feeling pretty safe here," he said. The King gave the signal for his men to attack; but, none of them had swords anymore. They looked at each other in confusion and London continued. "Those swords looked dangerous for your men though," he said as he turned and gestured to the side of the throne. "I put them all there to make sure no one gets hurt." The king turned and was suddenly unsure. Each of the glowing swords stood upright, impaled in the stone floor next to his throne. Six swords, any of which could have been impaled in him just as easily. He didn't know what kind of magic was responsible; but, he had his own sorcerous support.
The only thing he was unsure of was whether or not to reveal his secret weapon. But, now it was an easy decision. He made a subtle gesture with his hand. Then, nothing happened. After a moment of silence, London raised his arms up and gave a tall stretch while he yawned.
"I'm getting kind of tired, I think I'll nap before I eat, save me some food, okay?" he chuckled as he approached the throne.
"Jester!" The King demanded as he looked toward his clown.
"Oh, yeah, sorry. All his bells were annoying me, so I stopped time for him," London said as the King became aware of the Jester's lack of motion. The lean, pale, fool stood frozen with his wide open looking at nothing. "But, I feel like you're wasting his talents keeping him as a Jester," London said as the mousey man suddenly took in a breath and looked around the room. His sharp movements added a playful jingling to his confusion. "Do you know how much of a talent for magic he has? The guy's practically an arch-mage."
"Anyway, don't mind me," London said as he walked past the throne." "I'm just gonna lay down over here for a nap."
The King sighed; his ultimate trump card was about to be revealed but there was nothing he could do. He knew there were spies among the nobles in the hall and he knew that after this encounter he would have to make changes to all his secretive defense. But, it was worth it to be rid of this dragon.
There was a reason for the dense shadows behind his throne; a last line of defense. It was one thing to challenge the dragon directly with knights. And, he was obviously astute enough in the ways of magic to identify the Jester; but, there was no magic he knew of that could read the shadows. The Jester gave the King a nod once London entered the shade.
"Oh, good dragon!" The King rose to his feet and looked back as he called London.
"Yes?" London turned his back to the shadows to focus on the king.
"Oh, nothing," the King chuckled. "I just wanted your attention for a moment." But, again, nothing happened. His assassins should have eliminated the dragon once his back was turned; but, he was still standing.
"For what?" London asked. He tilted his head at the King with amused curiosity. Finally, the King made a decision. London had made his point and trying to push back any more would only ruin him.
"I've changed my mind," he nodded at the Jester. He jingled as he threw the pouch back to London. "I won't be collecting taxes from you or any of the dragons in my Kingdom."
"Well, if you're sure...," London shrugged. "I guess that means I don't have a right to be here after all," he added as he walked forward out of the shadows. He moved past the King again and he had a half-dozen daggers sticking out of his back.
"It's probably a good thing...," he added as he walked through the hall allowing everyone to see the buried weapons. "...that corner was all sharp and uncomfortable."