Dragonslayer

Valerian:
Is...

Hodge:
Yes, this is Kragenmoor and yes, this is the house of Ulrich, and no, he won't see you.

Valerian:
But...

Hodge:
I know, you've come a long way, your business is urgent. It doesn't matter! He sees no one.

Brother Jacobus:
Unclean beast! Get thee down! Be thou consumed by the fires that made thee!

Casiodorus Rex:
Did you ever hear of King Gazerick? Oh no, of course not, you weren't even born. He was my brother, a great King and a valiant man-at-arms. When he ascended the throne, the dragon was unbridled. No one knew where it might strike next. So, he brought forth his broadsword, assembled his best company of fighters and went out to do battle. He was never seen again. But his attack provoked the most terrible reprisals: whole villages incinerated, entire crops burnt, death, famine... horrible. How did you advocate to yourself the role of 'savior'?

Galen:
I was invited.

Casiodorus Rex:
Not by me! I think you're nothing but a boy... an apprentice!

Casiodorus Rex:
Have you ever considered the consequences of failure?

Galen:
WHAT failure? What are you saying, do you want the dragon back?

Casiodorus Rex:
You came here and toyed with the monster! Who are YOU, to risk our people? Our villages?

Galen:
But your children were dying!

Casiodorus Rex:
Only a few, does that sound cruel? It is better that they should die that others might live. I created the lottery!

Casiodorus Rex:
Me! And from the moment it began, the dragon was tamed! The kingdom has prospered!

Galen:
At what price? You can't make a shameful 'peace' with dragons. You must kill them as I have done.

Casiodorus Rex:
Then the beast is dead?

Galen:
Yes, it's dead.

Casiodorus Rex:
We shall see.

Hodge:
Ah, so it's a test you're looking for. We don't do tests!

Tyrian:
No, of course not. They never do tests. Not many real deeds either. Oh, conversation with your grandmother's shade in a darkened room, the odd love potion or two, but comes a doubter, why, then it's the wrong day, the planets are not in line, the entrails are not favorable, "we don't do tests"!

Horsrik:
All hail Casiodorus Rex, dragonslayer!

Tyrian:
If he's ready to lay a dragon in its grave, he's nothing to fear from me.

Casiodorus Rex:
Stop! Don't... harm him. You, please. You know, I've always had the greatest admiration for the black arts, you chaps with your... mysterious spells. I didn't think it would be necessary. Vermithrax is an old dragon, and... that, I thought, was the beauty of my plan. Time, we waited out, and live to see the end of it. I WILL see the end of it.

Tyrian:
Sir, I beg you consider what you're doing. Give him that, he'll destroy everything you've built.

Casiodorus Rex:
He shall have it. It... it's my daughter. Save her, I beg you!

Valerian:
Twice each year, at the Spring and Summer Equinox, the king selects a new victim. Virgins.

Ulrich:
A lottery! Barbaric. And in return, this dragon... it leaves your villages and crops unburned. Your king has made a pact with a monster!

Tyrian:
I knew I'd find you here. Well, I'm not as sentimental as his majesty. The kingdom, everyone of us, needs this sacrifice. If you intend to interfere, you'll have to kill me.

Galen:
I've plenty of reasons to kill you that have nothing to do with this sacrifice.

Tyrian:
A toast... to the deed of the day!

Urlander:
What would you have of us?

Tyrian:
Not a thing.

Tyrian:
It's this one. The King would meet our newfound benefactor, and offer his gratitude to the one man who has succeeded where so many have failed.

Galen:
What sort of 'gratitude'? A knife in the belly? An arrow in the chest?

Tyrian:
My young friend... I would have soon dispatched you as I did the rest, for the same reason. But his Majesty would have a cozy little chat, and commands otherwise.

Galen:
You're back! I thank the powers that made me!

Ulrich:
Glad to see you, too. You didn't bring along anything to eat, by any chance?

Galen:
Food?

Ulrich:
But, come along, there's much to do.

Galen:
No, please! I thought I was a sorcerer, I'm not. I thought I had power, I don't. You said to be strong. I wasn't!

Ulrich:
But you were, my boy, you were. And you'll be stronger yet.

Ulrich:
There's something you must do.

Galen:
Anything.

Ulrich:
I want you to destroy the amulet, and me along with it.

Ulrich:
You brought me from the flame! You must send me back! You'll know the time! You must act while life is still in me!

Valerian:
You'll be dead Galen Bradwarden, Sorcerer's Apprentice. You'll be dead, the dragon will still be alive and I'll still be a virgin! You'll be dead, and I don't care!

Galen:
Of course, the lottery. Sons are spared, but daughters are not.

Valerian:
Yes, the lottery.

Galen:
You're right. I am in love - but not with the princess.