Book 3: Chapter 123 (2/2)

“I think I’ll stick with her,” Tafel said. “Her name’s Mary Junior after all.”

“That’s a dumb name,” Vur said. “We should name her Mini Vur instead.”

“No.”

Before Vur could reply, there was a knock on the door. A second later, it swung open. Alice and Mr. Skelly walked inside followed by a red sheepman. Alice swept her arm out towards Vur, gesturing at him with her palm. “Here he is, your great leader,” she said and rolled her eyes. “Can you stop following me now?”

“Baaa.” The sheepman nodded. “That means, baaa, thanks in sheep language.”

“You could’ve just thanked me,” Alice said and left the room, closing the door behind her and Mr. Skelly, leaving the sheepman inside.

Tafel blinked at the sudden intruder. “Good morning?”

“Greetings, baaaa, wife of the great leader,” the sheepman said. He dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead against the ground. “O great leader! A terrible, baaa, tragedy has baafallen us, your people. A purple, baa, dragon has eaten a great, baaa, number of our men. We ask you to, baa, avenge us and create the, baaaaaa, land you promised us.”

Vur frowned. “A purple dragon?”

“Can dragons even be purple?” Tafel asked. “What kind of magic would a purple dragon cast? If my theory about dragons are their colors are correct, then a purple dragon should cast … poisonous spells? But that’s green.”

Vur shook his head. “I’ve never seen a purple dragon either.” He placed Mary Junior down and stood up. “Where and when were you attacked?”

“Four days ago, baaa, at the place you told us, baa, to search for genies.” The sheepman let out a sad-sounding bleat. “Our chieftain sacrificed, baaaaa, himself to let us escape. Baa, we all came to find you, baa, but it looks like I’m the only, baaa, one who made it.”

“Maybe you’re just the fastest one,” Tafel said. “There’s no reason to assume the worst.” She looked up at Vur. “Are you going to confront this dragon? I think your parents are taking a nap right now; it may be a while before they wake up. What if it gets dangerous?”

Vur snorted. “These sheepmen are my people. If another dragon is attacking them, then they’re invading my territory and harming my property. According to Grimmy’s code of honor, it’s up to me to show them their place, unless I can’t, and if that happens, then I tell Grimmy.”

Tafel scratched her head. “That doesn’t sound very honorable. If you lose, you tattle?”

Vur shrugged. “I didn’t make the code.”