Grisnelda knew how to make an entrance, that was for sure. The lightening strikes, the living hair, the ornate staff - not to mention that dress, well, it added up to a pretty impressive look. But the dragon was just tacky.

I mean, we've all got them. It's not as if owning a dragon is anything special, but Grisnelda just had to go all OTT. As usual. The poor dragon was under so many cosmetic spells it was a wonder it could move at all. Huge spine raised all over its back, ears and horns pulled out of shape, and feet shrunk down to stumps. You could see the distress in the creature's eyes, and for a moment I wondered if all the spells used were cosmetic. The open-mouthed roar, not uncommon in show dragons, seemed close to a look of pain. I cast a glance at my own dragon, sitting patiently beside the door. No-one could call me sentimental, but I would never torture my stead for the sake of making it look more impressive.

Besides, it doesn't need to look impressive. My dragon is the fastest, strongest and most powerful creature for miles, and everyone knows it.

Could that be it? I wondered, seeing Grisnelda glaring at me. Did she do this to score off me? For a moment, she scared me. Certainly, I was more powerful in magic than she, but I always worked within the bounds of sanity. Someone prepared to overstep those bounds... what might she not be capable of? I decided to take the moral high ground, and let Grisnelda have her victory, if it was so important to her. I inclined my head in respect and she glowed in triumph.

I moved forward, smoothly, and took her right hand in mine.

"May I congratulate you on a most magnificent ensemble," I said, bringing all my years of diplomatic experience to bear and keeping the sarcasm out of my voice.

Too late, I noticed Grisnelda pulling her hand frantically from mine. She hurried to re-cast the silencing and controlling charms, but it was too late. We all heard the dragon's screams, and before anyone could move it had bitten its mistress in half.

As Grisnelda died, her spells faded. I moved in to contain the dragon, now a frail, toothless creature. It looked once into my eyes, then lay down and died. At peace, at last.

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