Day after day, the human's health improved. He could walk by himself, he ate without throwing up every time, I was delighted to see him back on his feet. Each day felt like an accomplishment for him and he was eager to explore the world. During his recovery, I was able to learn a few things about his kingdom and corroborate that to the letters dragons in the area were sending me. I even learned his name: Samuel.

During his recovery from his nasty intoxication to dragonsbane, when he was getting a lot better, I kept a thought in the back of my head: « He's still a dragon slayer. He qualified me as the enemy of his kingdom when we first met that fateful evening. He's still tied to that kingdom, one way or another. While he has no intention of hurting me, what prevents him from turning up to other dragons in the vicinity ? What would prevent him from turning on me ? » In other words, when the drive to do that job is gone I would be able to relax a bit. For now, I had to keep my guard and be ready to fight back with determination.

One day, during meal time, I felt he needed to talk to me about some very important matter.

« Samuel, I started, I feel you need to tell me something, but I'll start. You're getting better each day and I'm ecstatic about it. Your health between a few days ago and now is day and night. However, I can't really turn a blind eye to the fact you have ties to that kingdom, with all the implications that has.

– I know, he sighed, I know. At the end of the day, I'm still a dragon slayer and I still have ties to him, who threw me under the bus on my back and provides me the weaponry to execute his orders.

– You sword is still here, I haven't touched since that night when I was done cleaning it. At some point, you'll be fit enough to go back out and explore the world. What would prevent you from turning up to another dragon and attacking them or even turning on me ?

– Turning on you ? he replied nearly spitting his food, You're kidding me ! You took care of me while I was down and helped me get back on my feet. You also showed me a facet of dragon personality with a friend of yours, something I could only dream of learning about ! I can only be grateful for that. As for other dragons… that king will give me quite the speech if I refuse to act his orders and I've had enough of him cheating on me with empty promises. In other words, I don't want to go back and be miserable and I want to cut ties with him.

– Okay… that's a bit new in the register of dragon slayers I've met. So you want to cut ties with the kingdom you came from, did I understand correctly ?

– Correct, Samuel replied with assurance.

– Knowing your king, he'll certainly send another slayer up my cave to check if you're still here and they'll see that I'm still alive and kicking, heh.

– Oh shoot… I forgot this detail… and hum, your safety in this mess.

– Don't worry about me, I replied, I've dealt with many dragon slayers well before you. Some realized what they were up against and bailed out, others were foolish enough to attempt but they bailed wounded. The most persistent ones thinking they could take me down bit the dust. »

Samuel looked very distressed about the whole situation. I could read all the nervousness and despair on his face. I tried reassuring him that I wouldn't abandon him in that tricky situation. He calmed down a little bit, but he still was concerned about his own safety and the king's reaction to our peculiar situation. He still didn't know what I usually do when nobody's around. When meal time was over, I practiced the delicate dance of washing the dishes. While the human was chipping at a possible plan, I put some books and booklets back into their spots in the library. A small pile of returns was accumulating and had to be dealt with. I could hear moments of excitation and others of deception in his voice. Did he really want to take care of this matter by himself and take a few risky gambles ?

The mailkobold (a mailman but kobold) "ringed" at the entrance of the cave. We exchanged a few pleasantries and discussed about how the human was recovering and the conflict he found himself in. I grabbed the pile of letters the kobold had in his hand and took a peek. Overall, it was the usual news digests with upcoming events and things nearby kingdoms were doing. However, one particular letter from a dragon caught my eyes because of its weight and thickness. According to them, they had a surprise visit from a couple of dragon slayers which were dealt with quickly. I found a couple of sword guards with burn marks accompanying the letter and recognized them immediately: the slayers came from the same kingdom Samuel came from ! That confirmed my suspicions and was my signal to pay a visit to somebody that apparently adores making empty promises.

Towards the end of the afternoon, I was sitting by the cave entrance enjoying the light breeze the end of summer had to offer. Samuel was sitting next to me.

« So did you hatch a plan ? You've been thinking for quite a bit while I was tidying up returned books on the library shelves. I've heard excitation and frustration.

– Yeah… sort of. I wanted to assume other slayers were going to join me but knowing them, they wouldn't even dare fearing they'll lose what they have. I can't afford to be alone either or my king will certainly severely punish me for having failed my mission and not complying. Then, I'd be back in hell for who knows how much time. As you said, he will certainly send somebody to check things and I'm terrified of that moment. In other words, I'm basically stuck between a rock and a hard place.

– Quite the conundrum. I think you forgot you have somebody willing to help you sitting by your side. I was planning playing a little game of letter exchanges and tell your kingdom I'm coming. That said, according to your governor's plans, he's not expecting to receive letters from me. Instead, I'll give him a nasty surprise by knocking at his castle door, without notice. Then, I'll take it from there… with a sword and some magic.

– Are you just going there without notice ? Samuel replied surprised of my way of doing, He'll be pissed. You need the whole paperwork and it's a pain to get.

– Actually, yeah ! I don't care about how mad he'll be, I'm just going to show up at your governor's doors just like that because I can ! Remember how he made you describe me as an enemy of his kingdom and that my 'reign of terror' must be ended ?

– Yeah ?

– Do you think an actual enemy will tell their adversary "Hey by the way, on that date and that time, I'm coming your way and attack you !" ? I don't think they would, whatcha think ?

– You do have a point. »

Of course, I also made sure he was well aware of the consequences if he cuts the bridges with his kingdom. He was more than fine with cutties ties. Just like that, we had a plan and a surprise to make. The next step was to put them into action.