Forest Kingdom Trilogy 1 - Blue Moon Rising

strips torn away like kindling, but still the doors stood.
    The guards came back, and Rupert shook them all by the hand.
    'Best of luck, Sire,' said Hawke.
    'Thanks,' said Rupert. 'My brother's having a little lie-down in the old stable at the moment. You might like to go and discover him in a while.'
    'Oh sure,' said Hawke. 'Still, no hurry, is there?'
    'Won't you get into trouble for letting us pass?' asked Julia.
    'I doubt it,' said Hawke, grinning. 'Everything's in such a mess that no one's sure where they're supposed to be, and that goes double for the guards.'
    'Look,' said Rupert suddenly, 'you're welcome to come with us, if you want.'
    Thanks all the same,' said Hawke politely, 'but no thanks. The new King's going to need all the guards he can lay his hands on to put this Land back together again, and that's bound to mean extra money and promotions for old hands like us. Besides, we've got lands of our own to look after, remember? You granted them to us, and the old King ratified it himself, just before the last battle. Who knows — our descendants might even end up as Lords or Barons some day.'
    'That should shake things up,' said Rupert, and all the guards laughed.

    Rupert and Julia swung up into their saddles and rode forward into the Keep, the unicorn close behind.
    The gates closed slowly after them as they passed under the raised portcullis and out on to the lowered drawbridge. The ice had all but vanished from the moat, but Rupert couldn't see any sign of the moat monster. He urged his horse on, and soon Rupert and Julia and the unicorn were safely among the first few trees at the edge of the clearing. Behind them, the drawbridge swung silently shut. Good thing I ordered those gears greased , thought Rupert. Normally they're loud enough to wake the whole damn Castle . It occurred to him that that order was probably the last he'd ever give. He frowned uncertainly. He wasn't quite sure how he felt about that, but if anything, he felt rather relieved. He led the way into the Forest until he was sure they were out of sight of the Castle, and then reined his horse to a halt. Julia and the unicorn pulled up beside him.
    'Dragon?' called Rupert quietly. 'Where are you?'
    'Here,' said the dragon, emerging suddenly from the trees to Rupert's left. The horses took one look at the dragon, and tried to bolt. Rupert and Julia fought them to a halt, and muttered soothing words in their ears while glaring at the dragon.
    'Sorry,' said the dragon, moving cautiously forward to join them again.
    'Whatever you do, don't smile at them,' growled Rupert as his horse finally calmed down. 'I don't think they're ready for that yet. Are you ready to go?'
    'Of course, Rupert. By the way, do you think we could stop off at Dragonslair Mountain so that I can retrieve my butterfly collection? I've seen some fascinating specimens here in the Forest that I'd love to add to it.'
    'Sure,' said Julia. 'Why not?'
    'Good,' said the dragon. 'You know, I think I'm going to enjoy this trip, wherever we're going. You two are the most interesting humans I've come across in centuries. Always in the middle of things. Wherever we end up, I doubt it'll be dull.'
    Rupert looked up at the night skies with an expert eye. 'The sun will be coming up soon; we'd better get a move on. Out there, somewhere beyond the Forest, there are countries that have never even heard of the Forest Kingdom. Let's go and visit them.'
    'Right,' said Julia.
    They set off down the dusty trail that led into the Forest, and so passed out of history and into legend.
    And wherever they went, and whatever they found, Rupert, Julia, the dragon and the unicorn faced it together. Heroes, all.