"Heave!"

The heavy wooden door bulged in from the weight of the huge army trying to break through it.

"Heave!"

Another loud thundering noise as armor-laden shoulders beat against the door.

"Heave!"

The door crashed open, the soldiers streaming in with battle cries.

"Where is she? Where is the princess?" Several exclaimed as they searched the deserted chamber.

"I am here." A tiny voice replied. The sound of small footsteps coming down the stone stairway reverberated around the room. The soldiers raised their iron weapons in anticipation.

The head of a small child came into view. Several chuckles issued from the surrounding warriors. Many lowered their swords. "What do you need?" She asked innnocently, stopping within a few feet from them.

"Nice dragon." A man said, pointing to a lizard sitting on the child's shoulder. An appreciative laugh from his fellows followed his statement.

The girl smiled. "Yes, I think so." She stroked his tiny head, turning her asking eyes back onto the multitude before her. "And what can I do for you all?"

"Your not at all the warrior we were expecting." The man replied, "We wish your blood. Which shouldn't be too difficult." He stepped forward with his spear raised but was knocked backward by an invisible force.

"Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! You've made me angry!" The child was growing larger, towering over the army. Her blonde hair streaked white, billowed above her head. She raised a staff that was emitting an electrifying green light. The lizard was now an enormous pale dragon, his forked tongue flicked out, tasting the enemy's fear. She swept her stick in the air. Several men were thrown into the wall, stones cascading onto their heads. The dragon finished the rest off with a billowing cloud of fire.

The girl, now an innocent child again, laughed. "Good job, Gerdie." She picked the lizard back up and placed him on her shoulder.